A 10-year-old girl who nursed a sick kitten back to health while on holiday is awaiting the results of a blood test to determine whether the cat can be flown back to Britain.

Francesca Higgins went to the pet blessing ceremony last Sunday at St Peter's Church in South Croydon, with a picture of Pixie the kitten in the hope that she will soon be holding the real thing.

Old Palace pupil Francesca was on a family holiday in the south of Italy when she befriended the kitten. She was dragging a belt along the ground when the kitten appeared and latched onto it.

She said she felt a "heavy weight on the belt" and when she turned around there was a kitten dangling from it.

Taking an instant liking to the kitten, she took her home and started to feed her. But it soon became apparent that Pixie was not well as she was bleeding. It took a week of care and attention from Francesca before the haemorrhaging stopped.

Francesca and her family took Pixie to an Italian vet quite prepared to pay for treatment but when he realised what the family was doing he offered his services free of charge.

"I'm hoping to get her back," said Francesca. "It felt horrible to leave Pixie behind. I really missed her as soon as I'd left Italy."

Pixie is staying temporarily with another family in Italy.

The blood test will determine whether she is eligible for a pet passport.

If so Francesca will have to wait six months before Pixie can be flown over.

The pet-blessing ceremony saw all sorts of animals brought in to church, including sisters Jessica and Fola with their goldfish.