A litter of four tiny kittens and their young mum have been dumped at the gates of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

The helpless quintet were found trapped in a cardboard box and drenched in urine by a member of staff.

Mum Luna, who is one, was abandoned outside the charity’s centre last month along with her four kittens Lex, Liam, Lea and Sydney who were thought to be around seven weeks old.

Lex remained in the clinic as staff were concerned about his back left leg and an x-ray revealed that it was broken. He is receiving the specialist care needed to recover from his ordeal although Battersea staff are hopeful he will make a full recovery and be able to find a new home soon.

Luna’s other kittens have since been rehomed but the doting mother is still waiting for her chance in a new home.

Philip Heron, an operations manager at Battersea, said: "These poor cats have been through so much in their young lives. They must have been very scared when they were trapped in that box. We have no idea how long they were in there for or how they ended up in this condition."

To adopt one of the cats call 0207 627 9234 or log onto www.battersea.org.uk