A HEROIC cat which saved a toddler’s life by alerting her parents that she was choking in her sleep has been nominated for the Hero Award at this year’s National Cat Awards.

On November 14, the five-year-old tabby cat named Pixie became aware that April, a 22-month-old girl, was struggling to breathe in her sleep at around 1am.

Pixie ran into the bedroom of her owners, Sophie Hellyer and Mike Sawyer, from Melksham, and woke them up so they could get to their daughter's aid before it was too late.

Miss Hellyer, 26, said: “We were woken up by Pixie after she jumped up onto our bed and started meowing loudly.

“She then jumped off the bed when we'd woken up and started racing up and down the hallway. She’s usually very quiet and calm at night so this was very unusual behaviour.

“I got up to try and calm her down because I was worried she was going to wake April up.

“But then I noticed that she was waiting outside April’s door, so I went into the room and that’s when it dawned on me what was happening.

“I switched the light on and saw April keeled over, struggling to breathe. I was absolutely terrified and went into autopilot. I screamed Mike’s name and he came rushing in to help me.

“I bent April over my knee and told Mike to hit her back as hard as possible. After several hits, bits of chopped up grape we'd fed her for lunch earlier that day came out.”

After saving her life, the couple sat with their only child for an hour to make sure she was okay before putting her back to sleep.

April sleeps with a baby monitor next to her but the choking was silent, so the couple did not pick it up in their bedroom.

Miss Hellyer, whose partner is a tree surgeon, said Pixie has had a special bond with April ever since she was born.

“We were initially a bit worried about how Pixie would react when we brought April home from hospital but they have a really special bond,” she added.

“Pixie hasn't had kittens so she’s like a mum figure to April – when I was breast feeding with April she would sit next to me and she always walks alongside me when I take April to her cot at night.

“I think it’s that special connection that made her spring into action when April was choking. Somehow, she knew she was in danger.”

The couple showed their thanks to Pixie by pampering her with her favourite treats and giving her lots of cuddles, and they are now hoping she gains national recognition at the ceremony on Thursday, August 3 at the Savoy Hotel in London.