LONDON, July 21 (Reuters) - One of the most complained-about adverts of recent years, featuring a blind footballer kicking a cat instead of the ball, has been allowed to continue by the industry standards watchdog.

Over 1,000 viewers filed complaints with the Advertising Standards Authority after watching bookmaker Paddy Power's television advertisement.

Although no contact was shown between the man and the cat on screen, the player was seen taking a kick, and a thud and a loud meow were heard.

Complaints were lodged on the grounds that the advertisement condoned cruelty to animals and was offensive to blind people.

In defence of its decision not to uphold viewers' complaints, The Advertising Standards Authority said that the advertisement was a "humorous depiction of a fictional situation", unlikely to cause serious or widespread offence.

The advertisement was supported by members of the England Blind Football Team, it noted in a statement on its website.

As for the cat, it was ultimately shown walking along the branch of a tree, unharmed.