Seven young rabbits were rescued after being dumped in “freezing temperatures” at a patch of woodland.

The RSPCA was called to rescue the animals, which were found by a member of the public walking her dog with her grandson in Chingford on Tuesday.

Officers from the animal welfare charity said the box was falling apart and the rabbits had been left in “freezing” conditions.

The rabbits are extremely small and are thought to be young mini lops. They were transferred to a cage at the scene and taken home to wait for collection by the RSPCA.

No note was left with the box.

RSPCA animal collection officer, David Eckworth, said: “These are domestic rabbits and they wouldn’t have survived for long dumped in a cardboard box. They were absolutely petrified.

“Thankfully they were found by a member of the public and we are grateful that she was able to take them in until we arrived.

“If anyone knows who owns these rabbits or how they came to be dumped in this way we would urge them to contact us.”

The rabbits are expected to make a full recovery. They had not been microchipped so will instead be found new homes by the RSPCA.

Anyone with information on how the rabbits came to be dumped at the woodland are asked to call the RSPCA’s inspectorate line on: 0300 123 8018.