The number of animals being abandoned has risen sharply as pet owners struggle to afford the cost of living, the animal charity the RSPCA has said.

It said 40,595 were abandoned in 2011, in England and Wales, compared with 24,638 in 2007.

The RSPCA's Gavin Grant said pets were the "silent victims" of the recession and his charity was "struggling to cope".

Danny Savage reports from Sheffield.