This is the heartwarming moment a hero rescuer rappelled into a 20ft well to save a trapped kitten in northern Thailand.

Footage shows the volunteer in safety gear lowering himself down the water-filled shaft in Phayao province on June 4.

He reached into a nook and plucked the trembling drenched moggie.

A resident said she heard the kitten crying non-stop behind her house.

She said: 'I went to look for it but I couldn't find it. I continued searching and noticed that the sound was coming from the well. I was shocked to see it stuck there. It must have fallen in while playing. I hurriedly called the rescue team because I was scared it would drown.'

The kind local dried off the soaked ginger kitten, which is now recovering in her home.