Two abandoned kittens have escaped death by a whisker after being found in a bonfire pile just seconds before it was lit.

The adorable three-week-old kittens were taking shelter in a pile of leaves and wood that was moments away from being put on an already-lit bonfire.

Luckily for cute moggies Popcorn and Marshmallow they were rescued from a toasty fate when a workman in charge of the bonfire heard a meow just before he put the pile on the fire.

Builder Rob Gillen was working in his boss Andy Southcott's garden when he made the discovery.

Andy is the chairman of property developers Southcott Homes based in Curdridge and after Rob discovered the pair of kittens at his boss's home in Southampton he pulled them from the pile and told Debbie, Andy's wife.

Debbie immediately took them to the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Southampton.

It is believed the mother of the two kittens is a stray cat that has regularly been spotted around the area.

Rob, 28, from Southampton, said he is relieved to have found them just in time and said they were "moments from being burnt."

He added: "I was clearing out my boss's garden and making a bonfire - the bonfire was lit and I was throwing stuff from the other pile on to it.

"I turned around and went to throw some more stuff on there but I heard this little meow and realised that there were two little cats.

"Luckily they made a noise because I could of picked them up so easily and then just chucked them on without knowing.

"Really, they were moments from being burnt which is horrible. The fire was already lit as well so I was just about to pick up where they were to put them on.

"I'm not really a cat lover but these cats were quite cute, they were tiny.

"One was really happy and playful but the other one was not so happy and stayed quite quiet."

Debbie said: "The tree cuttings for the bonfire had been there for ages, so it’s really lucky we decided to move it over a few feet before we lit it.

"It doesn’t bear thinking about what might have happened to the kittens if we hadn’t moved the pile.

"Rob was horrified to think that they could have lit the fire when the kittens were still in there."

After arriving at the rehoming centre, the pair were examined and found to be in good health but very hungry.

They are currently being looked after by one of the charity's foster carers until they are eight-weeks-old when they will be old enough to find a home.

Danielle Mason, from the charity, Blue Cross, said: "These two kittens had a really lucky escape - their mum must have thought it was a nice safe, dry spot for them.

"It’s a good reminder to check your bonfire for wildlife before lighting it.

"Sadly, Popcorn and Marshmallow are just the tip of the iceberg - we are taking in more and more unwanted kittens and pregnant cats every year and we want to urge owners to get their pets neutered."

To find out more about these kittens bluecross.org.uk or call Blue Cross Southampton on 0300 777 1530.