SHOCKED road workers were left scratching their heads when they uncovered a real-life game of cat and mouse.

Workers with Highways England were busy carrying out work on the drainage off the A120 at Wix.

The improvements are part of a £5.98 million package of maintenance work across the A12 and A120, which includes resurfacing, bridge and safety barrier repairs.

Having installed the new drains, the operatives ran a camera down to check for any problems and ensure everything had gone smoothly.

While they were pleased with their work, their cameras soon picked up a large rat heading down one of the drains.

Much to the workers' surprise, a hungry domestic cat followed in hot pursuit of the rodent.

The cameras picked up the adventurous moggy just a minute later.

It looks like the fearless feline did not get to enjoy rat-atouille for dinner, and cameras later recorded it leaving the new drainage.

Jason Appleton, site supervisor, said: “Sometimes we see rats going down the drains, but it’s the first time we’ve ever seen an intrepid moggy in hot pursuit.

"It was like an episode of Tom and Jerry live.

“Occasionally when we have diversions in place for our road works residents express concerns about their village being used as a rat run.

"I don’t think anyone ever expected this drainage to be used as one.”