A LITTER of one-week-old kittens and their mum have been rescued from a garden shed in Radcliffe.

The abandoned cats were discovered by a homeowner who stumbled across them at the bottom of their garden.

Chantelle Farrow, who volunteers at Kitty Helpers - Rescue, Scan, Reunite (North Manchester), undertook the rescue mission in the Cross Lane area of Radcliffe.

She said: "The mum had given birth in the top corner of a garden, next to a lawn mower.

"When I found them they were in a little shed behind a bush. The only access was through a small gap at the side.

"I crawled through. The mum was terrified. I tried to win her trust by offering small pieces of food but she kept backing away.

"I had to take my time. If you spook mum she could abandon the kittens, decreasing their chance of survival."

Ms Farrow offered a plate of cat food, gravy and cat meat but the Tortoiseshell Tabby (Torbie), recognisable by her ginger and tabby patches, did not take it.

"Unfortunately she freaked out and I had to let her go", Ms Farrow said before adding: "I put the babies in the carrier then made a trail of tuna to another crate and watched from the house.

"After some time passed I was able to secure mum and reunite the family."

The kittens — a tabby, two tortoiseshell and one black and white — were described as being slightly underweight for their ages and had just begun to open their eyes, placing them at about seven days old when they were rescued on Thursday, July 19.

Resident Nikki Ward, who lives in Holland Court, said: "I came home and my neighbour said there was something in my shed because her mum's dog had been sniffing around up there.

"When we looked there was a cat and four kittens. We had no idea they were there."

Ms Ward posted on the Spotted: Radcliffe Facebook group to ask if anyone was missing a pregnant cat or knew the owner.

Ms Farrow made contact and attended the house within 30 minutes to rescue the litter.

They are now been cared for in a large dog crate with a comfortable bed, blanket, litter tray, food and water.

The cats will be fostered until they are old enough to be rehomed.

Ms Farrow said: "Mum has now settled into a foster home and seems to be enjoying the lovely comfortable bed she has rather than the hard floor.

"The rescue was hard work but it paid off."

She urged cat owners to have their pets neutered and chipped. For more information contact the team via the Kitty Helpers - Rescue, Scan, Reunite (North Manchester) Facebook page.