A quick-thinking car mechanic made an epic catch to save a kitten falling from the roof.

Sutthirak Thongprajak, 37, was working on an engine when he heard the baby cat rummaging through the shop ceiling.

He watched the moggy before dashing over with gazelle-like reflexes to catch the feline when it plunged from 13ft (4m) above.

CCTV shows how Sutthirak caught the three-month-old feline in his arms just inches away from the hard ground. The epic save prevented the kitten from hitting its head on the concrete and suffering a serious injury, or worse, from the fall on February 14.

Sutthirak said the kitten named Thung Ngern belongs to his next-door neighbour in Chainat, Thailand.

He added: 'The kitten often visits my garage and I have become attached to him. I leave milk out for it and give it food.

'He's called Thung Ngern, which means gold. I turn on the aircon for him to sleep near. He likes to relax in front of the cool air.

'On the day of the incident, I heard Thung Ngern climbing across the ceiling. I was a bit nervous so I watched him.

'Then when he fell, my instincts took over and I ran across to catch him. It was like watching a precious vase falling through the air, I didn't want it to hit the ground and smash.

'Thung Ngern was lucky, as he could have suffered broken bones or even been killed because of the height of the fall. He's still young and has weak bones so might not have been able to withstand the impact with the hard ground.'