The mutilated remains of a cat have been found in the village of Otford, near Sevenoaks, prompting fears a notorious animal killer has struck in the county for a second time.

The body of the family pet was collected last night by volunteers from South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL), an organisation trying to track down the person responsible for a number of similar deaths throughout the country.

When bodies of cats with heads, tails and legs missing started being discovered in the London borough of Croydon in 2014, many assumed one person was responsible and dubbed that person the Croydon Cat Killer.

However, pets and strays from a wider area have been found with similar fatal injuries since, including in Maidstone, and foxes and rabbits have also fallen victim, leading SNARL to re-name him or her the M25 Animal Killer or UK Cat Killer.

SNARL, founded by Tony Jenkins, 51, and partner Boudicca Rising, 45, confirmed the latest gruesome discovery in Kent via its Facebook page last night.

The pair posted: "We confirm that Tony tonight has collected the body of a cat from Otford in Kent. The cat, whose body was found yesterday morning, has wounds which match the other victims.

"We would like to thank his family for being brave enough to come forward in the midst of the grief at his loss. It takes a special kind of courage to face the unfaceable and we are deeply grateful.

"No further information will be released until such time as his loved ones have come to terms with his death.

"Our thoughts tonight are with his family."

In July, SNARL was called to an address in Maidstone after 15-year-old fluffy cat Ella was discovered in a garden with her head cut off.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police has not received a report of a dead cat in Otford on August 16 or 17."

If you find an animal that has been mutilated call SNARL on 07961 030064 or 07957 830490.