Highways officer rescues kittens

The orphan kittens were found at the side of a road in a plastic bag by Steve Lambert during an inspection in Wimblebury, Cannock, on Sunday.

He picked them up, put them in his van and took them back to his base at the county council's highways depot at Gailey.

As soon as they arrived they were given milk and support from workers.

Even before Steve could phone the RSPCA three of the soft hearted team at Gailey volunteered to provide a new home for each of the cats.

Now the kittens, named Pink, Elvis and Betty are safe, warm and secure in the arms of three loving Staffordshire Highways extended families.

Mr Lambert, whose normal duties on a highways inspection can include with floods and the aftermath of car crashes, said: "It's tragic that someone could dump these little chaps.

"We had to do something to help them."

Staffordshire County Council's highways councillor Mike Maryon, praised the highways team saying: "It is really appalling that someone was so cruel as to abandon these little defenceless animals at the side of the road. It's a good job our team are out there looking out for the community.

"Our highways lads and lasses are tough. They have to be to cope with being out all hours in the worst of all weathers keeping Staffordshire on the move. But they are also a soft hearted bunch."

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "It was a miracle these kittens were found alive. The chances of their being noticed were very slim.

"It's great that there is a caring force out there looking after our roads and public safety.

"Cat rescue isn't in their job description but they have done a fabulous job.

"Whoever dumped these kittens has committed a cruel and criminal offence and should be held to account."

If anyone has any information about this or other acts of animal cruelty they are urged to ring the RSPCA helpline on 0300 1234 999.