A passing builder sprang into action to save a kitten who had been stranded on a Letchworth rooftop overnight.

The Comet: Joe du Marney rescuing Jeffrey the cat from the roof.Joe du Marney rescuing Jeffrey the cat from the roof. (Image: Archant)

Joe du Marney was out distributing leaflets in Cowslip Hill when he rescued Jeffrey, a six-month-old tabby cat. Jeffrey somehow got onto the roof of a neighbour’s house on Wednesday and wouldn’t be coaxed down.

“I called the fire station, who advised I call the RSPCA,” Jeffrey’s owner Kelly Hanlon said. “The RSPCA advised we leave him and he would come down by himself.

“The next morning he was still there and my kids were very upset, my husband stayed home and we tried to work out what to do next.

“I tried calling to him and coaxing him down with food but he wouldn’t budge.”

The Comet: Joe du Marney rescuing Jeffrey the cat from the roof.Joe du Marney rescuing Jeffrey the cat from the roof. (Image: Archant)

Joe, who works for StrongStone Home Improvements, noticed what was going on after his work-mate Liam Maxwell said he could hear a cat.

“I saw the homeowners outside and decided to go over and have a chat to them,” said Joe.

“I have quite a soft voice so I thought maybe I could convince the cat to come down to the window.

“I just thought if I could help I would, the cat was clearly very scared and distressed.

“I went inside the house and tried but the cat was too scared.”

Joe volunteered to climb out onto the roof through the skylight to grab Jeffrey.

“I couldn’t believe he would offer to do this for us. He was really insistent,” said Kelly.

Joe continued: “I climbed out – ripped my trousers open, which was funny – and was able to reach the top of the roof, and the cat immediately started rubbing up against my hand.

“I grabbed him and put him into the window to the owners.”

Kelly’s neighbour repaired the hole in Joe’s trousers while Jeffrey got reacquainted with his family.

“Jeffrey was due at the vet’s to be spayed Thursday morning and we joked this was an elaborate ruse to avoid the vet!” Kelly said.

“It honestly was one of those things that completely restores your faith in humanity. The world is a better place because of people like Joe. I, my family and of course Jeffrey are grateful beyond words.”