FOUR three-week-old orphaned kittens have found sanctuary at Margaret Green Animal Rescue near Brentor, after their mother was killed in a road traffic accident.

Last week staff at local animal charity Margaret Green Animal Rescue took care of the four tiny kittens after a member of the public witnessed the accident and brought them to Wingletang, Margaret Green Animal Rescue's centre for rescued cats and dogs.

Niki and Alan Ging, managers at Wingletang, said: 'The kittens were in extremely poor condition when they were brought in. They were malnourished and very small, our vet has aged them at around three weeks old.

'As their mother was a stray, it is more than likely they have been living outside since they were born. If they hadn't been brought in straight away, it is unlikely they would have survived the weekend.'

After an incredibly tough start in life, it is touch and go for these little kittens and unfortunately one has since died as it was too weak.

The remaining kittens are being hand fed every three hours with a milk supplement and mashed meat.

Niki and Alan added: 'We are doing everything we can to save the three kittens but they are still very weak. The next few days will be crucial for them.'

The charity's store of cat and kitten food is dangerously low after an influx of abandoned and stray animals.

If you would like to help, consider donating some cat or kitten food. The kittens eat good brands of kitten meat in jelly such as Felix or Whiskers.

Please take any donated food to Wingletang, Brentor Road, Heathfield, Nr Tavistock, PL19 0LF.