A CAT sanctuary has been inundated with kittens over the last month with more than 70 waiting to find a new home.

The Chestnut Cat Sanctuary in Epping looks after unwanted cats but manager Jackie De Friez said they have never had so many kittens all at once.

She added: “We have had people banging on the door bringing them in and there are so many we can't take them all. We have 35 here and a waiting list with around 35 more.

"It's the season for kittens and they have to be our main priority because they are so vulnerable. If they are left outside they will probably be eaten by a fox.”

Ms De Friez said there are many reasons why people bring their kittens to the sanctuary.

“Recently we had a young girl who was 18 and her parents had gone away on holiday and she bought a kitten,” she said.

“When they came back they went up the wall. But by law she could buy one, although that doesn't mean she was capable of looking after it properly. The pet shop wouldn't take it back so she bought it to us.”

The sanctuary relies on people living in the area to foster cats and kittens while they wait for someone to give them a new home.

For more information about adopting or fostering the animals visit chestnutcatsanctuary.co.uk.