Two rabbits have been found abandoned in a cardboard box near Maidstone by a parent who was walking their children to school.

The discovery of the grey and brown domestic bunnies, which had been dumped in a plain box with no food, water or bedding, was made in Cross Keys in Bearsted on Monday at around 11.30am.

The RSPCA received 874 abandonment complaints relating to rabbits last year alone, and has rescued more than 2,000 of the animals in total.

Animal welfare officer Lynn White, who collected the pair in Bearsted, said: "Thankfully the rabbits are doing okay but this could have been a different story if the member of the public hadn’t spotted the cardboard box move.

“They were dumped in an area where someone was unlikely to find them so these bunnies were really lucky.

“It’s hard to predict why pets are abandoned and sadly it is something we see all too often.

"There is never an excuse to abandon an animal like this as there are options available if someone feels they can no longer cope or no longer want their pets.”

Anyone who recognises the rabbits, or has any information which may help the RSPCA, is asked to contact the inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.