Five ten-day old kittens were heartlessly abandoned in a wet cardboard box near to a motorway junction in Somerset.

A member of the public discovered the cats at 8.30am on Sunday on a grass verge near the first roundabout towards Stockmoor after leaving the M5 at junction 24 for Bridgwater where they had been left in a soggy cardboard box.

RSPCA inspector Marije Zwager said: “These poor kittens are very young and should have been with their mother but instead had been cruelly discarded without any thought for their welfare.

“Sadly one of the kittens had died and another was very unwell and had to be euthanased by a vet. The others are doing well and now kindly being hand reared by the lady who found them.

“There is no excuse for this sort of cruel behaviour as there is always help if someone is struggling to cope with caring for their animals."

The RSPCA is asking anyone who might recognise these kittens, or who saw anyone in the area around the time they were abandoned, to get in touch with by calling 0300 123 8018.

Mrs Zwager continued: "This also highlights the needs for more education to ensure potential cat owners understand the commitment, responsibility and costs involved in taking on a pet, as well as the importance of neutering cats.

“There are lots of charities and local vets, who offer assistance with the costs of neutering.”

In 2016, the RSPCA neutered 41,495 cats across England and Wales, this relates to both male and female cats.  

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care visit rspca.org.uk/give or text LOVE to 87023 to give £3.