Inside were four kittens, dumped by a callous owner who thought the new residents of the Sutton Drove home might be a soft touch.
The cats are now being cared for at The Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare in Ringmer. Angela Turner, cattery care assistant, said the woman had her own cats that she was bringing with her so couldn't keep the kittens as well.

'She kept them from Friday to Tuesday and has young children who, of course, wanted to keep them. But she just couldn't cope with all of them.'

The kittens, thought to be about 10 weeks old, are nervous but have been well-fed. Angela said the kittens had not been handled much but they would adapt well and were certainly not feral.

Nigel Mason, centre manager, said: 'The kittens had just been dumped. Someone obviously thought the lady was a soft touch.
'It is terrible for someone to do this and there is no excuse for it. Whoever did this could end up with a criminal record.

'We are looking at homes for the kittens who have now completed their health checks.

'It is just not necessary. There are plenty of agencies around to take in cats and find them new homes.'