ANIMAL welfare volunteers received a heart-breaking note from a cat owner forced to abandon three pets.

The cats, called Betsy, Emily and Tigger, were left outside the White Lion Veterinary Clinic, in Hall Street, South Hetton, near Easington, east Durham, with a note apologising to for being "so crue".

It read: "Please, please, take care of my three cats. I have had them a good few years, but cannot cope any longer as I've lost my job and cannot afford them.

"They love to be together, please do not separate them, they are all sisters.

"They are very loving and like plenty of loves and kisses, so please make sure they get plenty - please. It breaks my heart to part with them.

"They have all been neutered and have no fleas. I'm sorry for being so cruel, but have no one else to turn to.

"Thank you so very much - a really sad owner."

Animal collection officer Debbie Cliff, who took the cats to the RSPCA's Great Ayton Animal Centre, said the cats were in excellent health and were obviously loved and cared for.

"Their owner was clearly desperate and felt this was the only option open to him," she said.

The tortoiseshell cats will be rehomed in due course.

The charity is urging people to seek help if caring for their pets becomes a struggle, rather than abandoning them in the street.

Anyone with information about who abandoned the cats is asked to contact the RSPCA on (08705) 555999. Calls are in confidence and charged at the national rate.

* North-East cat lovers are urgently needed to volunteer their time for homeless felines.

The Wear Valley, Darlington and Dales branch of Cats Protection is looking for fosterers, fundraisers and people to carry out home visits on any potential owners.

Branch co-ordinator Marion Maychell said volunteering for Cats Protection can be good fun and very rewarding.

"We have people from all walks of life, and from a wide age range, volunteering. We work hard to match people's skills, interests and time availability to the jobs on offer which can work very well."

The welfare organisation rescues and rehomes more than 170,000 cats every year.

Anyone interested in finding out more about working for the Wear Valley, Darlington and Dales branch is asked to call (01388) 776549.