THREE puppies, only weeks old, have been found abandoned in a cardboard box by a hedgerow.

The animals were found near Shildon by a man walking his dog.

Two have been rehomed, but the remaining dog, named Shilou, is being cared for by Donna Brown, from South Church.

She said: "I think it is horrible that someone would do this. We are feeding it with a bottle and eventually when he has had his injections and has been spayed we will be looking for a good home for him.''

Donna is one of three friends who have been offering a helping hand to people who have difficulties looking after their pets.

She is joined by neighbour Julie Johnson and friend Leanne Wensley, who between them have rescued dozens of dogs.

Julie, 46, has issued an appeal for new homes for some of the animals.

She said: "I have always taken in the odd animal along with Donna and Leanne and a couple of friends. But it has snowballed and now we have a few dogs. They are all in foster homes but we love to see them settled somewhere permanent.''

The friends say they are keen to support local animal sanctuaries but are not a registered charity themselves.

They hold car boot sales at South Church to raise money and would be grateful for donations of bric-a-brac.

To offer a dog a home or donate bric-a-brac call Julie on (01388) 778116 or 07789 841374