A CROSS ROADS-based charity is caring for three kittens, who were snatched from their mother at birth and left to die in a box at the side of a road.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Cat Rescue said a total of four kittens were originally abandoned. They were discovered by a concerned motorist who contacted police.

Rescue centre manager, Sam Davies, who is hand rearing the survivors, said: "Without having received the important early milk from their mother, these kittens were incredibly vulnerable and tragically one lost its life.

"Had she remained with her mother, this fourth kitten would probably have been alive today.

"Whoever made the heartless decision to tear these beautiful kittens away from their mother should be utterly ashamed. Not only were they left at the side of the road to die, but the mother cat must be distraught at having her babies taken."

The kittens will continue to be hand-reared at Sam's home until they are strong enough to be brought to the charity's shelter to be re-homed.

Sara Atkinson, founder of the charity, said: "This incident is symptomatic of a wider issue of unwanted kittens increasingly being abandoned – left to fend for themselves in boxes at roadsides.

"This summer we've been swamped with kittens from owners that have either forgotten or simply not bothered to have their cats neutered."