A South Ockendon cat is on a shortlist for a top pet ‘survivor’ award after miraculously surviving being shot in the face with a large metal ball bearing.

Honey, the cat from South Ockendon in Essex, was found collapsed and bleeding under a bush by owner Pensioner Albert Cook.

After being rushed to pet hospital in Basildon, X-rays revealed a marble-sized ball bearing lodged in her skull after being shot in the head.

The injured cat was not forecast to survive the night – but the missile was removed and Honey survived a further eight operations to fix her shattered jaw and eye socket.

Now she has been selected as a finalist in the PDSA Pet Survivor Awards 2015 for the UK’s most incredible tales of miracle pet survival.

Vet charity PDSA scoured the country to find the nation’s most plucky pets who have come through terrible ordeals and challenges.

Honey lost her eye but not her spirit –veterinary staff praised her as a “star patient – always loving and friendly” and she is back home having made a full recovery.

Owner Albert, 69, of Broxburn Drive said: “It’s an absolute miracle that Honey is still with us. My wife and I are absolutely over the moon that she’s still here, and we cannot thank PDSA enough.”

Honey was nominated for the award after PDSA issued a nationwide call for pets who "dodged disaster, beat incredible odds or survived death by a whisker."

To vote for Honey - the PDSA winner will be decided by public vote which opened last week – visit: www.pdsa.org.uk/petsurvivor

Other finalists are: Ozzy the cat – who lost his leg after being attacked by a dog; Penny the Pointer – who lived to tell the tale after a 50mph collision with a lorry; Ruby the kitten – who suffered horrific chemical burns to 50% of her body; Suki the Miniature Schnauzer – who was left with prolapsed intestines after a dog attack; and Ziggy the Staffie – who survived being shot through the head with a crossbow.