A litter of kittens have been rescued after being thrown over fences into the back gardens of Lowestoft homes.

Eastern Daily Press: Summer - one of the kittens rescued in Dell Road. Photo: Cats ProtectionSummer - one of the kittens rescued in Dell Road. Photo: Cats Protection (Image: Archant)

Five kittens, believed to be around seven weeks old, were found in Victoria Road and Dell Road.

Cats Protection's Anglia Coastal branch were alerted when four kittens were found on the night of Wednesday, June 21.

Delphine Wood, Cats Protection branch coordinator, said: 'It appears someone walked down an alleyway between the two streets throwing the kittens one by one into the gardens.'

Branch volunteers along with the local RSPCA went out to take the kittens into care and search for anymore.

The group used Facebook for an urgent plea for all residents in the area to check their gardens. The post was shared 236 times and viewed by more than 19,000 people.

A fifth kitten, thought to have been hiding, was found on Sunday, June 25. It was badly dehydrated and in need of medical attention and is currently receiving treatment at a local vet.

Mrs Wood said: 'How they didn't break anything when they were thrown over the fences I don't know.

'There was no way for a kitten to get into that garden so they have definitely been dropped over the fence.'

She added: 'You can feel their spines because they are so skinny. I just hope to goodness that there were only five kittens. From time to time you do get kittens dumped in boxes but I've never heard of anyone doing this.'

The coordinator went on to praise the public reaction, she said: 'They really rallied round and we would like to thank everyone who helped with the search.'

As the kittens were dumped on the summer equinox they have been given names of this theme; Summer, Sunny, Luna, Pagan and Quinn – for Equinox.

It is hoped there will be a happy ending for the kittens as those being cared for by Cats Protection will be available for adoption in around three weeks.

The public are asked not to contact Cats Protection about adopting the kittens at this stage.

If anyone has information about they incident contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.