Kittens dumped in bin with umbilical cords attached

The kittens, who were only around two to three days old, had been dumped in a shopping bag

Four newborn kittens, who were found after being dumped in a shopping bag in a litter bin, have been rescued by the RSPCA.

The three females and one male were discovered at around 23:30 BST on 17 April after a member of the public heard noises coming from a bin next to a wooded area on Hill Road South, in Penwortham, Lancashire.

The kittens, who were only around two to three days old, had been wrapped in a blanket and still had their umbilical cords attached.

The animal charity said they would have died if they hadn't been found, but were now "thriving" after receiving round-the-clock care.

The RSPCA said it was concerned about the kittens' mother

The kittens were taken home by the person who found them and then collected by animal rescue officer Mike Man, who said: "Being so young the kittens were very vulnerable and they would have perished if they hadn't been found, so this was an extremely callous course of action.

"We're also very concerned about the health and wellbeing of their mother who has given birth and been separated from her babies."

Mr Man said: "Thankfully the kittens were heard by a woman who stopped to investigate and we'd like to thank her for coming to their aid.

"Being so young the kittens were very vulnerable and they would have perished if they hadn't been found, so this was an extremely callous course of action. We're also very concerned about the health and wellbeing of their mother who has given birth and been separated from her babies.

"Sadly, we see many upsetting incidents like this, it's always a sad and depressing sight."