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Five tiny kittens left to die trapped in a bin bag in a swamp in South London were rescued when someone walking nearby heard them crying.

The cute kittens were dumped in a Fila shoebox wrapped in a bag in swampy marshland around Victoria Road in Mitcham on Friday, July 19.

They were rescued by four kind-hearted members of the public who managed to fish out the cats.

The rescuers Colin, Lorraine, Adela and Cashanna had all been in the area separately but rallied together to save the kittens.

Cashanna had been walking along a woodland pathway which connects Colliers Wood to Mitcham when she heard what sounded like an animal crying. She noticed the bin bag in the middle of the swamp, which kept moving and she knew something was trapped inside.

Adela was passing and stopped to help. Colin and Lorraine then arrived and they also tried to get to the kittens. All three cut their arms and legs as they tried to get through the thorny undergrowth.

Once they managed to get the bag out they found the kittens soaking wet but thankfully alive.

(Image: RSPCA)

They rushed to get a box and some towels to dry and warm up the shivering and sodden kittens before taking them to a local vet for immediate treatment.

They were later collected from the vet and taken to RSPCA Putney Animal Hospital by inspector Gemma Gumbleton.

The kittens, four girls and one boy, are now almost seven weeks old and are bein

g cared for at RSPCA Southall Cattery - they have been named Tommy Jnr, Maura, Amber, Amy and Molly-Mae - after the cast from Love Island.

(Image: RSPCA)

Gemma said: “I am actually horrified to think that someone has deliberately dumped these kittens in a swamp area. If they hadn’t have been found then they would almost certainly have died.

“I cannot thank the members of the public enough for rescuing these kittens, it’s just so lucky that they spotted the bag moving and went to investigate.

“All the kittens were soaking wet and cold and probably wouldn’t have lasted much longer if they hadn’t have been found. They were also covered in fleas.

“I am investigating this incident and would urge anyone with information to call me in confidence on the RSPCA inspector appeal line by calling 0300 123 8018.”

All five kittens are doing very well but are not available for rehoming yet.

Anyone interested in them is asked to keep an eye on the centre’s website to see when they become available.