A stray cat stuck under a highway bridge was rescued with a crane.

Footage shows the scared black moggy sitting on the concrete beam as it cried for help in Kanchanaphisek Road in Samut Prakan province, Thailand.

It was unclear how the feline reached the spot that was 20ft-high, so they had to use a ladder attached to the back of a truck during the rescue on February 15.

Highway security guard Ittipol Worapan, 56, said: 'Someone reported to me at 3 am that he heard a cat crying in the area so I went to check.

'Upon arriving at the scene, I observed the cat and asked a colleague for help as my shift was about to end.

'I have seen the cat around the highway before. It might possibly be escaping from a vehicle and became frightened when approached by people.'

It was afraid of people, so they lured it with food. After a while, the cat emerged to eat the food but became frightened and retreated back inside.

The team called for a boom truck to assist with the operation, and two rescuers ascended to the lift to monitor the cat's behaviour.

However, the cat evaded capture by moving to another side of the beam that was inaccessible to the truck.

Despite their efforts, after three hours of waiting, the cat remained elusive and refused to emerge.

They revised their strategy by placing a cage with food inside and waiting on the ground. It was eventually rescued the following day.