A clever mouse 'pretended to be a mechanical toy' to avoid being eaten by cats.

The tiny black rodent was cornered by two pet moggies while it was rummaging for food crumbs at a kitchen in Iloilo City, the Philippines on August 24.

As it could not easily escape the bigger animals, pet owner Arjay Degamo said the mouse began doing strange circular movements 'like a mechanical toy' to confuse the cats.

He said: 'The mouse was so funny. It did some strange circular movements and pretended to be a mechanical toy so my cats would be confused and leave it alone.

'When my cats became busy with food, it then ran out of the house but my pets followed it. I think it was able to escape because it also ran fast.'

The felines - named Kulot and Yami went out of the house with the mouse and tried to chase it but they eventually gave up following the smart rodent.