A CAT from Redditch has been shortlisted to win a prestigious award after saving his human's life.

Theo beat hundreds of other entries to take his place as one of three contenders in the Purina Better Together category of the Cats Protection’s awards, celebrating the special bond that can transform the lives of cats and their owners.

When he was a kitten, Theo was seriously ill with cat flu and it was doubtful whether he would survive.

His owner Charlotte Dixon stayed up through the night to keep Theo warm and feed him liquidised food through a pipette, which helped him to pull through.

Several years later, Theo came to Charlotte’s aid when she woke up one night feeling unwell.

“I was confused and shaky and thought I should get some sleep,” said Charlotte.

“Theo normally sleeps in my bedroom, but this evening was different – he kept pawing at my face, nudging me and jumping onto me every time I drifted off.

“In the morning I had deteriorated, and my mum came over and called an ambulance. The paramedic said he thought I had a blood clot and it was a good thing I hadn’t slept, as I probably wouldn’t have woken up again.”

Charlotte went to hospital and, following a week in the high dependency unit and surgery, made a full recovery.

Cats Protection’s awards organiser Kate Bunting said: “It was Charlotte’s devotion to Theo that ensured he was able to survive against the odds after being so poorly as a kitten.

"That makes it all the more touching that he was able to show the same devotion to her a few years later by taking action which probably saved her life.”

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at London’s Savoy later this year.

If Theo wins his category, he will be in with a chance of being crowned National Cat of the Year.