These two cute 16-week-old black kittens were found abandoned in a sealed cardboard box without food or water.

They were spotted by a sharp-eyed dog-walker who saw the box, which had been left in the middle of a football pitch, suddenly move.

The kittens were rushed to a nearby vets where they were found to be riddled with fleas.

The cats were dumped in New Road, Sheerness.

RSPCA inspector Ellie Burt said: "Sadly, we live in a throwaway culture and it’s heartbreaking to see people time and again treating animals like they are an old appliance to be thrown away or a piece of rubbish.

"To dump two cats in this way is a callous act of cruelty especially when there are so many other options.”

She added: "The kittens were taken in by a local dog-walker. She was walking her dogs when she saw the box dumped in the middle of the football pitch.

"She thought nothing of it until she saw the box bounce. When she looked inside she saw two young black cats who were very confused and riddled with fleas.

“They are nice and friendly so obviously they have been someone’s pet.

"This means it was most likely a deliberate abandonment. Maybe the mum had kittens and they couldn’t get rid of them so they decided to dump them?"

Vets fed the two boy cats and gave them flea and work treatment before the kittens were taken to the RSPCA's Leybourne Animal Centre near Maidstone for further care.

They have been named Wilbur and Orville by RSPCA staff.

The inspector said: "They are still a little timid but gaining in confidence each day. Once they have been neutered they will be available for re-homing."

The RSPCA is appealing for anyone who may have seen anything, or has any information which could help the investigation, to call its appeal line on 0300 123 8018, naming Ellie Burt.

The RSPCA's busiest time for abandoned cats is "kitten season" between May and September. This is when more unwanted and unplanned litters are born and subsequently abandoned.

If your cat has had a litter and you can't cope there are alternatives to throwing the cats away.

To help fund the RSPCA visit www.rspca.org.uk/give or text LOVE to 87023 to give £3 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).