Volunteers climbed a 52ft high tree to retrieve a pet cat stuck on a branch in Thailand.

Animal rescuers were called to the scene in Chachoengsao province on July 17 and found the frightened tabby named Mee Chok perched on a flimsy tree branch around four storeys above the ground.

Mee Chok's owner Teeraphat Kwangthong, 26, said he had been walking her around the neighbourhood when a stray dog appeared and chased her.

The cat sprinted away, dragging Teeraphat who let go of her leash out of shock. She then scaled the tall tree, where the team spotted her resting.

The crew from the Chachoengsao Rescue Radio Center said they had not anticipated the tree's steep height and had to call for backup since they arrived with only a stepladder.

Once help had arrived, they climbed up the trunk and tried to lure Mee Chok with food, but the wary feline simply eyed them and refused to walk over.

Finally, the brave rescuer decided to step on the thin branch, reaching out and grabbing Mee Chok by the neck before stuffing her inside a bag for safety.

The pet cat was reunited with her relieved owner after 50 minutes.

Fur dad Teeraphat said: 'I adopted Mee Chok when she was just a stray kitten wandering the road at around three years old.

'She was spooked by the stray dog while we were out on a walk. In her fright, she ran up the tree and pulled the leash, causing me to trip. I tried to climb it myself, but I realised it was just too tall.'

Nakarin Siharit, an officer of the Chachoengsao Rescue Unit, said they had to bring 'world-class equipment' for the rescue. He said: 'At first, we were only informed that there was a cat stuck on a tree. We didn't expect the tree to be that tall, but we managed to return her safely to her owner.'