Two cockapoo puppies found crammed inside a food waste bin are responding well to treatment, the RSPCA has said.

Pudding and Sprout were abandoned at Leybourne Lakes Country Park on Monday after officers predicted a breeder failed to sell them. A third pup died.

The eight-week-old pooches, one male and one female, were riddled with worms and have been under the care of the animal charity ever since.

They are not ready to be rehomed just yet.

An RSPCA spokesman said: "Pudding and Sprout are still receiving veterinary care but, thankfully, are so far responding well to treatment.

"They're not out of the woods yet but we're keeping everything crossed that they'll pull through.

"They're not yet available for rehoming as our inquiries are ongoing and we'd continue to urge anyone with information to contact our appeal line on 0300 123 8018."

The charity believes they had failed to sell, as the cost of living crisis sweeps in.

During the pandemic, the value of dogs soared due to increased demand for pets in lockdown, with breeds such as cockapoos demanding a four-figure sum.

RSPCA's rescue centres are now crammed full of animals who have been abandoned, neglected, abused or signed over as their owners can no longer take care of them.

Inspector Rosie Russon, who is leading an investigation in Pudding and Sprout's case, said: "We don’t know where these puppies have come from but we suspect they’ve been abandoned by a breeder after failing to sell; or because they suspected poor health and couldn’t afford the veterinary care they’d need.

"Worryingly our centres are fit to bursting and we’ve got hundreds of animals waiting to come into our care. We’ve seen an increase in animals coming into our care, a surge in abandonments, and a drop in rehoming; all of which we believe is linked to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

"Times are tough at the moment and we’re trying to help as best we can. We’ve launched an online cost of living hub to provide information and advice to pet owners who may be struggling, as well as a hotline people can call if they’re struggling."