A WALK for the dog became a rescue mission for a Coleford man Frank Williams when he pulled into a Forest layby and found two abandoned cats and four kittens.

"The mother cat came up to him and started mewing for attention – every time he tried to stroke her she ran away to the undergrowth," said partner Angela Cotton, who was not on the initial trip to the Cannop area.

"Eventually he followed her and she led him to another adult cat and four kittens."

It was the end of the dog's chance of a walk as Frank raced back home to drop the dog, pick up Angela and take boxes back for the animals.

"Managing to catch the older cats, we put them into the car and set about finding the kittens. Three were easy. The fourth had by now climbed a tree and it took a while to coax him down," said Angela.

"I actually don't really want to find out who dumped the animals in this way – I wouldn't be responsible for my actions. My partner was in tears over this," said Frank.

The cats are now being cared for by Sundean vets in Lydney and will eventually go to Cats Protection for rehoming...at the moment the organisation says it is so full it cannot take more in.

"We are desperate about finding caring homes for some lovely cats and would like to hear from anyone who will help," said spokes­person Sarah Cox.

The Cats Protection helpline is Dean 841511.