Going up was easy but one-year-old cat Freddy from Amesbury found climbing down much more of a problem.

Balanced precariously on an electricity cable for about 18 hours, one false move and Freddy would either have fallen 25ft or been electrocuted. And there were times when the young cat came very close to doing both.

Luckily engineers from Southern Electric were able to rescue the cat with assistance from the fire service and RSPCA. But before he was brought down from his dangerous perch the cat was caught on camera by RSPCA Animal Collection Officer (ACO) Sue Brookes.

The moggy's misadventure began on 15 June when, instead of the usual trees or shed-tops, he decided to take a sojourn halfway up a pole carrying live electrical wires.

Terry Davies, resident of Coltsfoot Close, Amesbury, was the first to spot the cat. He said: "The cat literally ran for a few yards along my garden fence and then straight up the pole. Initially, however, it was perched on the grey box on the side.

"I kept my four dogs inside to give the cat a chance to come down without being scared, and even propped up a ladder against the pole and held a dog basket for the cat to scramble down into. But although the basket was only a few feet away the cat wouldn't move.

"At about 9am the following morning the cat was right at the top of the pole clinging onto the wires, so I rang the fire service."

With Mr Davies call a rescue effort involving the RSPCA, Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, and Southern Electric swung into action. By 12 noon that day, RSPCA Animal Collection Officer (ACO) Sue Brooks had arrived to assess the situation.

She said: "When cats climb trees, we recommend that you give cats the chance to come down of their own accord before calling the RSPCA. However, it was clear in this case that Freddy couldn't stay where he was for very much longer."

When Wiltshire Fire and Rescue arrived it became clear that not only was Freddy clinging onto the earth wire, 25 feet in the air, he was only inches away from a live low voltage electrical wire.

Jason Pearey, crew manager of the retained fire crew who were called out to deal with the unfortunate feline, said: "I turned up with the appliance crew to assess the situation and realised weíd need the help of the electricity board to make the rescue safe.

"Once the electrical engineer arrived, he used a fibreglass ladder and specialist rubber gloves and was able to grab the cat, who remarkably seemed to be quite comfortable perched on the wires."

Richard Sewell, the engineer from Southern Electric who attended the incident, explained: "When I got to the site the cat was sitting on one of the overhead wires with a live wire just inches from its head. I climbed up the pole and, using specially insulated equipment, I was able to get the cat and bring him down safely to be reunited with his owner. Thankfully the cat escaped unhurt."

Luckily, this potentially "shocking" tale has a happy ending. After a gruelling 18 hours up the pole, the tabby-and-white cat ran home to astonished owner Emma Evans with a paper collar bearing a note from the RSPCA.

ACO Brooks said: "Freddy seemed to be unharmed, so I let him loose with a little note saying "Your cat's had an adventure. Can you please contact us to let us know he got home safely?" His owner got in touch soon afterwards.

"Of course, I'd like to thank Wiltshire Fire and Rescue and the engineer from Southern Electricity who were fantastic and very professional. As Richard Sewell, the engineer brought Freddy down, he looked so grateful!

"We donít know why Freddy shot up the pole, whether he was frighetened or it was just a case of curiosity and we all know the saying about what it can do and in this instance very nearly did!"

Emma, 33, a carer from Amesbury, got Freddy last year. The family knew nothing of Freddyís adventure until he arrived home.

Emma said: "It's not unusual for Freddy to wander off for the night, so I hadn't been too concerned about him.

"He loves to climb trees and he's a very noisy cat, so when we heard him meowing we thought he'd got stuck somewhere and would get down by himself. We recently moved house and Freddy, who used to go visiting three of our neighbours for extra snacks, was most likely looking for some extra food.

"When I saw the pictures of Freddy hanging onto the wires I couldn't believe it. I'd like to think heíd learned his lesson but I think he'll be up to mischief again soon."

Freddy's predicament was very unusual and required a swift response. However, if your cat gets stuck while climbing, if the cat is not in danger and the weather is fair, the RSPCA recommends that you leave the animal to make its own way down. A rescue attempt may frighten your pet, causing it to climb higher or even fall.

If the animal seems to be in distress, or has not come down after 48 hours, ring the RSPCA Cruelty and Information Line on 0300 1234 999.