Thesefour days-old puppies abandoned in freezing conditions at Christmas have found love in time for Valentine's Day.

The furry tail ending came after the puppies - just five days old - were brought into the Dogs Trust's rehoming centre in Canterbury days before Christmas.

They had been dumped in a box behind a shop and brought in to the centre by a member of the public.

Staff took it in turns to hand rear them around the clock until they were old enough to go to happy homes.

The four crossbreed puppies were given suitably festive, panto-style names – Prince Charming, Cinderella, Snow White and Buttons.

They are thought to have been bred by an unscrupulous breeder as presents for the Christmas market.

Fortunately they were rescued just in time and staff have devoted the last six weeks to ensuring that they were given the best possible care to survive without their mother.

Dogs Trust Canterbury rehoming centre manager, Adam Levy, said: “It was touch and go with the puppies when they first came to us.

"They were so young and their immune systems were not developed so we had a real challenge keeping them alive.

"We took it in turns taking them home and bottle feeding them each hour throughout the night.”

"They were so young and their immune systems were not developed so we had a real challenge keeping them alive" - Adam Levy of the Dogs Trust

Prince Charming’s new owner, Rochelle Haywood said: "We were shocked when we heard little Prince Charming’s ordeal.

"We are so glad that he and his brother and sisters all survived thanks to the dedication of the staff at Dogs Trust Canterbury and that we are now able to give him the loving home he deserves after all he has been through.

We absolutely adore him and he is really enjoying making himself at home."

If you would like to find out more about rehoming a rescue dog, please visit the centre at Radfall Road, Chestfield, Nr Whitstable, or call 01227 792 505.