A black tabby cat has been hailed a hero after saving the life of its owner by waking her up by pawing her face when a fire broke out a block of flats.

Owner Sharon Kane, 48, had been fast asleep when a blaze started in the flat directly below hers and started tearing through the building.

As thick black smoke started filling the room six-year-old puss Prince Ozzy leapt onto her bed and started repeatedly batting at her face with his paw to wake her up.

Sharon eventually came round and opened her windows and hung a white scarf outside her window until emergency services arrived at the scene.

She was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation but did require hospital treatment following the terrifying ordeal on January 5.

Prince Ozzy has now been nominated in the 'Hero Cat' category at the Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards next month.

Today (Fri) Sharon, of Belfast, said she owed her life to Prince Ozzy - named after Ozzy Osbourne - and believes she would have suffocated if he hadn't come to the rescue.

The nursing support worker at Belfast NHS Trust, said: “I had been on strong medication for a chest infection so was in a very deep sleep.

“It was around 5am and I kept feeling Prince Ozzy batting me on my face with his paw. I kept mumbling to him to stop it, but he just kept doing it.

“Eventually I came round and could see and smell smoke all around my flat.

“I immediately felt unwell but dragged myself up and opened the windows. The smoke started to clear and I was able to get enough air until the fire brigade arrived.

“I ended up suffering the effects of smoke inhalation and I was coughing up black stuff for days.

“I love him to bits and I owe my life to him and if it had not been for him I would not be here today.

“He’s a very intelligent cat and definitely has a mind of his own, at times he can be a bit of a psycho just like Ozzy Osbourne and he has a split personality.

"He will come to you for cuddles but you can’t go to him for cuddles - that’s just his temperament.

"But I wouldn't change him for the world - he saved my life."

Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards, run by the UK’s largest feline charity, is an annual celebration of the real-life stories of heroism, loyalty and companionship in the feline world.

If Prince Ozzy wins his category on August 2, he will also be in with a chance of being crowned National Cat of the Year.

Awards organiser, Kate Bunting said: “Prince Ozzy is truly remarkable and goes to show what incredible pets cats make.

“His quick-thinking alerted Sharon to what could have been a disastrous situation, something for which she’ll always be grateful.”