Three kittens have been found dead after being dumped on the side of a busy road last week.

The eight-week-old litter of six black kittens were discovered in a box in a hedge, which separates the A414 and Blake Hall Road in Ongar, on Saturday (August 1).

Road users had reported sightings of black kittens on the road and pavement to local cat rescue team Pauline and Terry Firks who head to the site in a bid to rescue them.

The couple, who have been rescuing animals since 1975, said they were “upset to find three of the kittens had been killed” when they arrived.

Mr Firks, 72, said: “one kitten had been hit by a car on Blake Hall Road and the other on the A414.

“The third we found was in a field and had died from dehydration and starvation.

“It was tragic.

“We searched for hours for the remaining kittens and managed to catch two.

“A third emerged from the hedge when we were calling out.

“They seemed to have been there about a week.”

The surviving kittens, two boys and a girl, who have been named Sooty, Sweep and Lucky are now looking for homes.

Mr Firks added: “We believe that the person who did this turned off of the A414 and drove 100ft up Blake Hall Road before dumping them.

“People need to understand the importance of having their cat neutered or spayed.

“It is so irresponsible and by dumping these young kittens three have ended up dead.

“I understand there is a huge shortage in the area of rescue centres that can take in kittens as so many need homes.

“My wife and I have often drove to Somerset or Cornwell to make sure kittens go to a safe home.

“The remaining three kittens are lovely and Lucky the girl, who we named due to the experience, is a real sweetie.

“They need homes or they will be placed into a rescue centre.”

Can you offer Sooty, Sweep or Lucky a home? Contact Georgia Diebelius on 07795 507440 or georgiadiebelius@london.newsquest.co.uk.