HUNDREDS of stray cats may have to be culled in Darlington if its feline population continues to spiral out of control.

But in a last-ditch effort to prevent this happening, animal welfare officers are offering to carry out free or low-cost neutering.

The RSPCA has started the programme in Skerne Park, which is one of the worst areas for strays. Cat owners on the estate can get their animals neutered and microchipped free.

The microchips mean cats can easily be returned to their owners if they go missing.

They help to reduce the number of animals which are taken in by the RSPCA and other organisations. Because the rest of Darlington is also experiencing problems with stray cats, the local branch of the RSPCA is offering to carry out neutering and microchipping at a reduced rate.

Branch members are urging people to take up the offer before the stray cat population gets even further out of control.

Vanessa Robinson, auxiliary secretary for the Darlington, South Durham and North Yorkshire branch of the RSPCA, said it is important to address the problem now.

"One cat and her offspring can produce 50 million cats in ten years," she said.

"The cats can have two or three litters each year, and that is why it is important to get them neutered. We need to reduce the number of cats in areas like Skerne Park.

"If we don't, it could result in the culling of cats, which is something nobody wants to see."

Mrs Robinson stressed it would not fall to the RSPCA, which is committed to preserving animal life, to carry out any cull, if it came to that.

It costs £41 to neuter a female or queen cat, and £26 for a tom cat.

Microchipping costs between £18 and £25.

People in Skerne Park can take advantage of the free service now.

For further information, contact Mrs Robinson on (01325) 377395, or Maggie Sanders on (01325) 377878.