Two kittens discovered in a warehouse face death unless a wealthy cat lover comes to their rescue.

The kittens ended up in quarantine amid fears they might have accidentally boarded a lorry in Spain.

Discovered by an eagle-eyed worker in a warehouse owned by Manningtree firm Espa, the kittens will be sectioned off for 14 days.

But unless someone is willing to pay £1,800 for six months quarantine, the kittens will be destroyed.

A lorry carrying pump parts from Spain stopped to unload at the Manningtree site and hours later the kittens were found in the warehouse, raising fears that the pair entered the country illegally.

Karen Fulcher, spokeswoman for Trading Standards, said: "We are fairly convinced they came from Spain because at this time of year the warehouse doors are kept extra secure.

"If someone did come forward with £1,800 we would be delighted but so far no-one has come forward. In the interests of public safety they have to be quarantined.

"We do not get many cases of this type. The most recent was during the summer when a Danish family accidentally brought their pet rabbit on holiday with them."

There is still speculation whether the cats were Spanish stowaways or newly-born locals.

RSPCA supporter Jackie Short said: "A vet did some tests and they were in really good condition which would be unusual if they had been travelling for three days in a lorry without food and water.

"One is black and the other is black and white. They are very sweet and they settled down within half an hour of being looked after.

"The Chelmsford branch is trying to find a group or someone to take them on."

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