TWO adorable kittens were saved from an untimely end after being dumped in an industrial waste facility.

The fortuitous five-week-old felines were spotted by a hawk-eyed waste worker as they lay among the rubbish at Romsey waste transfer centre.

Soaked with rain, the kittens, one male, one female, were picked out as the team sorted through the mixed waste.

However it could have been a very different outcome for the playful pair.

Waltet Recycling’s Kerrie Evans, who took the kittens to Cats Protection’s Southampton Branch, said: “The kittens were so lucky that they arrived at a slower point in the day.

"We often sort items for recycling, such as metal and wood, with a machine.

"We happened to be sorting by hand when one of our pickers spotted the tiny, white bedraggled kittens underneath the waste."

She added: "I dread to think what would have happened if we had been using the machine on that day."

Kerrie took the rescued kittens to the Cats Protection's Southampton Branch from where they were checked over by a vet.

The charity has since given the pair a clean bill of health.

Carolyne Kemp, Cats Protection’s Southampton Branch Co-Ordinator, said: “The tiny kittens are very lucky to have survived their ordeal.

"There is no excuse to dump any animal in this way.

"Neutering of cats is vital to ensure unwanted kittens are not born, especially as one un-neutered female can have up to 18 kittens within a year.

"I would urge anybody who has not had their cat neutered or spayed to make the simple procedure a priority."

The plucky pair, who have been named Buddy and Ellie, are now in foster care.

They will be looked after for the next few months, until they are ready for a new home.

Bee Inch, who is fostering the two kittens said: "They are very small at the moment, just 475g, so we will care for them and give them lots of love until they are 12-weeks-old when they will be ready for re-homing.

"They are eating well and love being cuddled; they’re not at all timid or scared and are currently spending their time sleeping or running around and playing.”

The kittens will be looking for a permanent home in November.

Anyone wishing to find out about the other cats and kittens in need of homes from Cats Protection’s Southampton Branch can visit cats.org.uk/southampton or call 02381 661 633.