SELFLESS boys Michael Montauro and Tom McCulloch sprang into action to save the life of an eight-month old kitten.

The 11-year-olds, both of Castleton Road, West Swindon, acted without thinking to save the hit and run victim.

Saffron, a tortoiseshell, was run over by what the boys reckon was a speeding blue Subaru car on Ramleaze Drive, West Swindon, around 6.30pm on Friday.

The boys ran across the road to attend to the startled kitten, directing oncoming traffic before raising the alarm at nearby Shaw Village Veterinary Surgery.

Saffron had suffered a hairline fracture to her hip and severe cuts.

Michael, a Shaw Ridge Primary School pupil, said: "We were playing on our bikes and saw this cat get run over.

"I didn't want to see it die after a nasty man had run it over and didn't even bother to stop to say sorry."

Tom, who attends Saltway School, said: "I couldn't just let the kitten lie there dying, so I rushed to the vets while Michael stopped the cars."

Saffron's owner, Tracy Cushion, 34, whose previous cat, Lucky, was run over seven years ago, praised the boys. Tracy, of Alpine Close, said: "I think what they did was absolutely fantastic."

Saffron was kept at the vets on Friday night, but returned home on Sunday.

David Warmes, practice partner at Shaw Village Veterinary Surgery, said: "It's extremely impressive that two children of such a young age had the guts and confidence to do what they did.

"The animal arrived very distressed and injured but we were able to treat it quickly because of their swift actions."