A charity has launched an appeal to help it pay for the life-saving treatment of five extremely sick kittens.

Colne Valley Cats Protection has created up a JustGiving page to raise funds for the costly treatment of the tiny animals, which are all suffering from a potentially deadly strain of flu.

The five young cats came from a household with a large number of other moggies where the overwhelmed owner had initially planned to find them new homes once they were old enough.

However soon after being born, the cats started to become unwell, showing symptoms including runny eyes and noses, sneezing and dribbling.

Cats Protection were called in and agreed to take care of the youngsters when the owner admitted she could not afford the treatment bill.

Two of the moggies were in such a serious condition they had to be put on a drip as they were not eating or drinking.

Cats Protection fosterer and fundraiser Shelley Naylor decided to start the JustGiving page and has been amazed with the response so far.

She said: "We are extremely grateful for the support and donations."

After being assessed by the vets, all of the kittens were put on a course of antibiotics and eye drops and are now on the way to recovery.

Once they are fit and healthy, suitable loving homes will be needed for the cats.

Ms Naylor said:"People can adopt with confidence knowing that all our cats are vaccinated, microchipped, de-flead and wormed and neutered, if they are old enough.

"Otherwise, a neutering voucher will be given for kittens under four months.”

Donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/colne-valley-catsprotection.

To find out more about adopting a cat from Colne Valley Cars Protection, visit www.colnevalley.cats.org.uk.