Two kittens were dumped in a cardboard box without food and water in a "cruel" incident.

The eight-week-old female kittens, named Banana and Custard, were found in a shed on a farm in Aberdeenshire.

The owner of Mary Culter Organic Farm, located just off the B979, made the discovery on Thursday morning.

The cats were rescued by the Scottish SPCA and they are recovering at the charity’s Aberdeenshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre at Drumoak in Banchory

Lynne Craib, animal rescue officer, said: "Poor Banana and Custard had been left without any food or water and were understandably distressed.

"We don't think they had been there for too long before they were found and they're in good overall condition which suggests someone has been looking after them until very recently.

"The person who abandoned them would have had to jump over a locked gate to gain access to the shed but unfortunately the owner didn't see anyone.

"Dumping any animal is cruel but these poor babies are barely old enough to be separated from mum and we can only imagine how frightened they must have been.

"Thankfully, Banana and Custard are now receiving the care they deserve and we'll soon be looking to find them a loving new home."

Abandoning an animal is an offence and anyone found guilty of doing so can be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.

Anyone with information about this abandonment is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.

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