Hungry and scared, these young cats were among 35 found abandoned in a one-bedroom flat.

Their owner had moved out from their rented second floor property a week previously and left the pets behind.

Staff from the Celia Hammond Animal Trust received a call on Monday and rescue workers visited the property in De Pass Gardens, Barking, the following day.

“A lot of them were kittens, around nine to 12 weeks old, but there were some adults there as well,” Celia Hammond, who runs the Canning Town charity, explained.

“The kittens were quite easy to catch but some of the older ones were so scared they hid in the arms of the sofa.”

Others had hidden in the base of the bed and even behind the toaster.

They were taken to the clinic where vets worked late to ensure all the cats were treated.

Basic veterinary care for the 35 animals – vaccinating, neutering, microchipping and flea treatment – will cost the charity more than £2,200.

That figure doesn’t take into account the price of food and other medical care required by the cats.

A JustGiving page has been set up to help the charity look after the cats, and in just a day has raised half of its £4,000 target.

To donate, visit campaign.justgiving.com/charity/celiahammond/flatcats