LOCAL animal welfare workers are trying to trace the owners of a tabby cat found tied up in a "Christmas parcel".

The "present", wrapped in festive paper, was found at a block of flats with a label attached, saying: "To Paul, Merry Christmas, from all the lads."

The cat has been named Toyah by the RSPCA at the East Lancashire Animal Centre at Altham, where the tabby is being cared for.

Jeanette Ainscough, centre manageress, said: "We think that this cat could have been a genuine present, a joke gone wrong or somebody's sick idea of a gift.

"The box was taped shut with no air holes, but the cat was in very good condition when she was brought to us.

"As the cat is one to two years old it is quite likely that she has had an owner."

She added: "We urge people with unwanted pets to bring them to us, rather than just dumping them. However, there is a waiting list. We currently have 350 cat owners on the list who want us to take their pets off them, and we are totally reliant on the public coming forward to offer unwanted pets new homes."

Anyone with information about Toyah - who was found in Padiham - or is interested in offering her a home, should contact the RSPCA on (01254) 231118.

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