The RSPCA are hunting a man caught on CCTV dumping a bag of four kittens in the men's toilets of a Wetherspoons pub after four were abandoned in the same place last year.

CCTV shows a man with his hood up stroll into The Ritz, Lincoln, carrying a black bag and desperate to keep his face hidden from view.

He makes his way to the men's toilets at the back of the pub where he disappears off camera before re-emerging without the bag.

Hours later staff found the bag, which had 'may contain prosecco' written on the side, with four terrified kittens inside.

However, this isn't the first time the pub's toilets have been used as a dumping ground for unwanted cats after four abandoned in March last year.

Animal welfare officers have launched an investigation to bringing the cruel culprit to justice.

The man casually strolls into The Ritz Wetherspoons pub in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, carrying the black bag with the four unwanted kittens inside

CCTV footage shows the man keeping a low profile as he makes his way to the men's toilets at the back of the pub carrying the black bag of kittens

RSPCA inspector Deborah Scotcher said: 'The man can be seen entering The Ritz pub in Lincoln High Street with his hood up carrying a bag that bares a striking resemblance to the bag the kittens were found in.'

'He is then seen on cameras in the Wetherspoons pub making his way through to the toilets. He later emerges no longer carrying the bag.'

RSPCA animal collection officer Paula Jones had said: 'I was off duty when I got a call from a trustee from the Lincolnshire Mid & Lincoln Branch who happened to be in the pub at the time. I put my uniform on and went over.'

The man can be seen entering the pub with his hood up head angled down away from the CCTV cameras

Returning from the toilet the bag is no where to be seen as the man makes a quick exit, raising his hand rather than using his hood to obscure his face

The yob strolls down the stairs without the black bag as he makes his way to the exit to make a swift escape

The man, wearing a dark green waterproof jacket, holds his hand up to his face to avoid being seen on CCTV

'I picked the kittens up and took them to one of the branch's wonderful fosterers. She actually cared for the previous litter who were dumped at the pub last year too - we never found out who was responsible but all of them went on to be happily re-homed.'

The kittens - three females and one male - have now been taken in by the RSPCA.

Inspector Scotcher said: 'These kittens were far too young to be away from their mum and it was touch and go as to whether they'd survive.'

'I'm really pleased that they all pulled through thanks to the dedication of our fosterers who hand-reared them and fed them round the clock.'

'The CCTV footage clearly shows a man enter the pub, trying to obscure his face from the cameras by using his hand and putting his hood up.'

'We believe this man can help with our investigation so we'd urge him - or anyone who recognises him - to get in touch with us.'