THE owner of a Darwen animal rescue centre today issued an emotional appeal for new pet owners to come forward after it reached bursting point with cats and kittens.

Moggies cat shelter, in Stansfield Street, Darwen, is full to the brim with dozens of adult cats and 32 kittens.

The latest addition to the centre was a cat and her five babies who were abandoned after the owner left home in Blackburn to go and live in London.

Another three-legged black and white tom cat is also looking for a new home.

Today the shelter owner, Maureen Savage, said she is desperate to rehome the animals before she has to start turning them away.

She said: "It's absolutely horrendous. I've never known anything like it.

"But I just can't say no because most of them are just abandoned.

"I've got four pens in the kitchen with kittens in and five mums and their babies in pens upstairs.

"And I would really like the owner of the three-legged tom to come forward and let me know what happened to his other leg in case he requires medical treatment for it.

"She left without leaving any details.

"I really need people to come forward. They are just coming in left right and centre and being left on my doorstep."

If you would like to rehome a cat or kitten telephone Maureen between 4.30pm and 10pm on 01254 708171.