SMOKEY the cat was the toast of Darwen back in November of 1979 - when she saved her family's lives after a fire broke out in their home.
The blaze took hold in the Holliday family's Everton Street home in the middle of the night when all five members of the family were fast asleep.
They were only alerted to the fire when Smokey, who had been sleeping downstairs, went upstairs and leaped onto the bed of Mrs Holliday's 14-year-old son, Heath, before sinking his claws into him.
Speaking at the time, the mother said: "The cat saved us all really. If it had not awakened my son we might not have got out."
Health said: "Smokey must have smelled the smoke and the first thing I knew he was digging his claws into me. I tried to get rid of him at first but then I smelled the smoke too. I shouted and we got everyone up and we all went downstairs and out on to the street."
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