ABEWILDERED cat is recovering in an animal shelter after its owner attempted to recycle it.

The two-year-old tabby escaped a gruesome fate by a whisker when council staff discovered him in a cat box dumped next to a recycling bin in Bunny Lane, on the outskirts of Romsey.

An RSCPA spokeswoman said: "They reported it to us and one of our officers picked it up and took it to a local vet to see if he had a microchip, but he didn't."

"He was a bit shell-shocked and a bit bewildered, a little bit on the thin side, but in good condition." She said the short-haired, male tabby had been named Charlie.

"He is a really, really friendly cat. Because of his nature and how friendly he is he's obviously someone's cat.

"It's possible that he was bought for someone as a Christmas present and then became too expensive to look after or perhaps the owner simply became bored with him."

Jill Graham, manager of the RSPCA's Ashley Heath Animal Centre, near Ringwood, said Charlie was recuperating in their cattery.

"He seems absolutely fine. When an animal comes in here, he is seen by a vet and then we assess the animal's temperament over five or ten days," Ms Graham said.

"That just helps us get them into the right home."

It seems it will be a happy end for Charlie who can look forward to enjoying his eight remaining lives.

Ms Graham is confident he will be adopted quickly.

Any incidence of animal cruelty can be reported to the RSPCA on its 24-hour hotline 08705 555 999.