Six puppies found dumped in a playing field were in a "dreadful" condition says the founder of an animal sanctuary now caring for them.

The pups - four girls and two boys - were abandoned at Great Chart Playing Field, off Chart Road, Great Chart near Ashford.

The puppies are believed to be around eight weeks old and appear to be Lurcher crosses.

The litter was originally handed in to a vet in Ashford but the puppies were taken to the Lord Whisky Animal Sanctuary in Stelling Minnis on Thursday to be cared for.

Lord Whisky founder Margaret Todd said: "The poor little mites were in a dreadful condition when they arrived here. They were very underweight and starving hungry.

"They have all got skin problems so it's going to take quite a while and a lot of nursing to get them back to where they should be.

"It's awful that they were abandoned like this in a playing field at this time of year. There's no excuse for that and it's heartbreaking to just think of them being dumped like that."

Mrs Todd said she hopes all six puppies will make a good recovery. "They will all make very nice little puppies once they recover," she said.

But she is very concerned about the condition of their mother and has appealed for the owner to get her checked and treated by a vet.

Once they are well enough the sanctuary will seek to find good homes for all the puppies.

Anyone interested in offering one a home is asked to call the Lord Whisky Animal Sanctuary on 01303 862622 to register their interest.