THREE tiny kittens that were abandoned in a skip with their dead mother touched the hearts of Argus readers.

More than 80 people telephoned Cats Protecton to offer the kittens a home after reading of their plight.

Loretta Kedward, publicity officer for the charity's Gwent south branch, called the reponse "staggering". The kittens, unofficially named Rag, Tag and Bobtail, were found hungry and scared in a skip by staff at Thomas Waste Management in Brynmawr nearly two weeks ago.

Cats Protection were called in and the four-week-old kittens are now being hand fed by "foster mum" Sharon Raymond.

They will be ready to go to new homes when they are eight weeks old. Mrs Kedward said that following the Argus article, volunteers who man the Cats Protection helpline were inundated with calls.

She said: "They were all people who wanted to give the kittens a home, though a lot of them said they would be interested in other kittens. But we have also got some lovely adult cats that people might want to consider."

Anyone who can give a home to a kitten, or an adult cat, should contact Cats Protection on 01633 895223.