Animal lovers are pleading with Islanders to take tins of food every time they go to the tip – to help a family of feral cats.

The cats have lived at the recycling depot off Bridge Road, Sheerness, since around 2005 after an unwanted one was dumped nearby.

There used to be eight of them but now there are only four.

Christopher Munds and Rob Gray who work at the Kent County Council site provide food for them and residents and charities donate too, but they need more support, particularly now the weather has turned colder.

They feed them twice a day and the cats even get a Christmas dinner – with the pair preparing meals of chicken and gravy in the site office.

But supplies have almost run out and donations are needed.

June Kimber, of Park Road, Sheerness, has been helping out but said it would be a huge help if everyone could bring one or two tins of cat food each time they go there.

Mr Munds said: “It’s nice to have them around. They cheer the day up when they come and see us for breakfast.

“We are always grateful to people who bring in food.”