A cat was rescued from a chimney in Welling this afternoon.

The owners called the London Fire Brigade (LFB) at around 1.40pm to a property in South Gipsy Road.

Bexley Fire Station in Erith Road sent one of their engines and it took firefighters half an hour to free the animal.

The LFB tweeted shortly after the incident: “Is it animal stuck up a chimney day? A pigeon this morning in #Cricklewood & now a cat in #Welling.”

The number of animals rescued by London’s firefighters have shot up by 60 per cent over the last five years and people are urged to think twice before dialling 999.

The LFB recommends anyone concerned about a trapped animal call the RSPCA’s 24 hour helpline instead on 0300 1234 999.