Animal welfare charity the RSPCA is expecting to take nearly 2,000 calls a day nationwide as the country heads into the festive season.

Last year, more than 10,000 incidents were reported to the charity from the East of England alone. 316 of these happened across Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

RSPCA inspectors are preparing to take in around 19,000 neglected animals this festive season, ranging from poorly pets who have been carelessly dumped on the streets, to animals and wildlife being deliberately cruelly treated.

The charity have launched their 'Kindness at Christmas' appeal which hopes to encourage others to donate or lend a hand towards the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of animals in desperate need of care.

RSPCA superintendent Simon Osborne said: 'During the festive season alone last year, we rescued over 25,000 animals, many of whom had been cruelly abandoned, injured or abused.'

'But we also saw many acts of kindness by animals lovers, from the passer-by who rescued a shivering and sick puppy days before Christmas, to those who reported suffering animals to our cruelty hotline or volunteers caring for animals in our centres and branches,' he added.

Animal lovers across the country are encouraged to show this kindness too this Christmas, by supporting the RSPCA's winter appeal.