It was feared Beamer may have had to have his leg amputated

The animal was found under the bonnet of a BMW after owner Nigel Harris, from Findon, near Worthing, West Sussex, smelled burning coming from the engine.

The tabby was discovered wedged between the bulk head and the engine.

All four of the animal's paws were burnt and one of its legs was badly hurt from the engine.

I am surprised the cat did not make itself more vocal and cry out in pain Billy Elliott, Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service

The leg wound had become infected which led animal rescue officers to believe the cat had been inside the car for about three days.

Speaking to BBC News Online, Billy Elliott, from the Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service, said: "He must have been stuck by the side of the engine and could not go up or down.

"As the engine got hot he was trying to push himself away from the engine with his feet.

"I am surprised the cat did not make itself more vocal and cry out in pain."

Skin graft

It is thought the animal, which has been named Beamer after the BMW car it was found in, had crawled into the engine to find somewhere warm to sleep.

But it is not known when or where it decided to stowaway because Mr Harris had driven all over West Sussex in the days before the cat was found.

To begin with, it was feared Beamer would have to have his leg amputated or undergo a skin graft.

But Mr Elliott said the early signs were that the wound was healing on its own.

Beamer is being looked after by a nurse who works at the vets surgery where he was treated.

Mr Elliott said they did not know if the cat was a stray or belonged to someone but he said the animal was about 12 to 14 months old and had not been castrated.