A CAT owner had to be rescued from a tree after he climbed up to retrieve his pet which was also stuck.

Dartford Fire Station received reports a cat could not get down from the tree in Norfield Road, Joydens Wood.

Firefighters advised the owners to call the RSPCA, which is the proceedure in these situations.

Shortly after, reports were received a man was stuck up a tree.

When firefighters arrived at 4.30pm today, they realised the man had attempted to rescue the same cat mentioned in earlier reports.

The man, believed to be in his thirties, had climbed a ladder and reached the cat.

However, he was unable to get back down while holding his pet.

Firefighters used a ladder to firstly retrieve the cat, and then the man from the branch he was sitting on.

Leading firefighter Bob Chilmaid said: "There is a chance the cat had been up the tree for a while, all of yesterday and last night."