Buster, Coco and Max may be popular pet names but they are also proving to be the most unlucky for animals.

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home says these three along with Charlie, Princess and Tigger are the most common names of pets brought into the animal charity's three centres by their owners over the past 12 months.

Max, Charlie and Buster have been the unluckiest monikers for dogs, while Coco, Tigger and Princess lead the way for cats.

Between July 2013 and July 2014, the most common dog breed arriving at Battersea was the Staffordshire bull terrier, and the average age of animals arriving was 13 months for cats and nine months for dogs.

Carly Whyborn, Battersea's head of operations, said: "Out of the 9,000 animals Battersea takes in every year, there are certain names which seem to be more unlucky for pets.

"The top five names in each category are lovely but seem to be more common in our three centres in London, Brands Hatch and Old Windsor.

“Battersea cares for all these homeless dogs and cats, regardless of their name, and hopes animal lovers will give a second chance to all the unwanted Busters, Charlies and Cocos out there."

Nine-year-old Coco is one example of a cat whose owner could no longer care for her and was brought to Battersea in London with her brother Romeo. The black and white duo can live with children over 13 years old and will need to be rehomed to a house with a garden.

For more information on rehoming a cat or a dog from Battersea, call 0843 509 4444 or visit www.battersea.org.uk