A seriously ill kitten was left to die after being dumped in a shoebox by the side of the road in Bromley.

The tiny male white cat, thought to be 12 to 16 weeks old, was left in a Nike box in Southview Road on September 5.

The box had been left on a pavement, by the road, and the kitten had escaped and was hiding behind a wheel of a parked car.

It is believed he was probably there overnight.

The kitten was very weak and had a "severe rectal prolapse which had become inflamed and infected".

His state of health was so bad the vet said the kindest thing to do was put him to sleep to end his suffering.

RSPCA inspector Nick Wheelhouse said: "This poor little thing had been just left to suffer in the most heartless way.

"His prolapse was so bad he could barely walk and he was in a terrible state. He was left in an insecure box right by a road, busy with rush hour traffic, and escaped.

"He could very easily have been run over. Callous is the only word I can think of to describe it."

"We urge anyone with any information to contact us on 0300 123 8018."

The RSPCA is a charity and we rely on public donations to exist. To help the RSPCA rescue animals like this text HELP to 78866 to give £3 (texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message).