An overweight cat with a possible tumour was found "dumped out with the rubbish" in an alleyway by a passerby.

The ginger and white male was discovered inside a cat carrier in Faversham on Monday, May 27.

RSPCA inspector Deborah Smith collected the tubby tomcat from Elliots Place in St Mary's Road and he is now in the care of staff at the Canterbury branch, who have named him Ally.

A small mass of the side of his face is being tested by vets to determine whether it is a tumour or if it is benign.

Deborah said: “He was dumped in a cat carrier down an alleyway with a bowl of food. He has clearly been owned quite recently as he was a little on the larger side and was wearing a collar, as well as a flea collar.

“When my colleague picked up the cat carrier she was so surprised by how heavy he was."

The seven-year-old cat isn’t microchipped and weighs in at 5.75kgs, which is above the average for an adult cat (2.7-4.5kgs).

Deborah added: "Sadly, we do see lots of abandoned animals coming into our care at this time of year.

"We understand that people’s situations can change which may mean they can no longer care for their pet but this poor cat had been dumped out with the rubbish and there is never an excuse to abandon an animal like this.”

The charity is now appealing for anyone who may have information about how this cat came to be abandoned, or anyone who saw anything in the Elliots Place area at around 6.45am on Monday, May 27, to get in touch with them on the inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

Read more: All the latest news from Faversham