The RSPCA is appealing for information after four kittens and their mum were found in a crisp box in Chelmsford.

The tabby two year-old and her youngsters were found in Britney Woods Park, near the woodlands by the A12, at about 2.30pm on Wednesday, January 15, by a passing dog walker.

He said his dog was drawn towards the cardboard sello-taped crisp box and when he looked inside he was surprised to see the animals curled up and cold, with just a bit of newspaper to bed down into.

The kittens, two white with black markings and two black with white markings, are around six weeks old and in good health. They have all been named after Spartacus characters from the upcoming film - the mum being Illithya and the kittens Varo, Cruxis, Spartacus and Gannigas.

RSPCA inspector Marie Hammerton said: “Thankfully this box was found before any harm came to these little animals.

“Leaving kittens as young as this out in the current sub-zero temperatures in such an out of the way place could quite easily have had fatal consequences - they are just too small to be able to survive for long.

“It seemed very fitting to name the animals after Spartacus characters. They have already been through a lot in their young lives.

“We urge anyone with any information about how they came to be dumped in this way to contact us on 0300 123 8018.”