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A cat survived a 2,200 mile flight from Egypt hidden in its unwitting owner's suitcase.

Bisou, a Persian, climbed into her owner's bag in Cairo as she was packing for a trip to visit her sister in Nottinghamshire.

It was only when owner Mervat Ciuiti was in a cab on the M1 that she realised her pet had come with her.

Bisou survived the flight in the hold unscathed but is now staying at a quarantine centre in Derbyshire.

The seven-year-old cat had to endure the freezing temperatures in the cargo hold on the five-hour flight.

Her owner, who was heading from London to Radcliffe-on-Trent. only found out when a relative rang to say Bisou was missing and she thought the cat might be with her.

She made the taxi driver pull over so she could check and was delighted to find the cat curled up inside unharmed.

But because of Egyptian animal laws she cannot return home for six months, while UK rules says Bisou must stay in quarantine.

She has now settled in happily at Calagran Kennels in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Calagran owner Mike Binks said: "She is a Persian cat, so very laid back and perfectly happy. She was a bit timid at first but is doing very well now. I think it's harder for the owner.

"If all goes to plan she should be reunited with her owner by the end of May."