More than 10,000 incidents were reported to the RSPCA over festive period in the eastern region last year.

The charity has launched its Kindness at Christmas appeal to help thousands of animals facing neglect and cruelty this festive season

The RSPCA says it is braced for 2,000 calls a day.

Simon Osborne, RSPCA superintendent, said: “It’s a sad fact that every day at work throughout the year can be tough for our inspectors and animal welfare and collection officers, but winter really does come with its own challenges and issues.

“We expect to take in somewhere in the region of 19,000 animals this winter alone.

“During the festive season alone last year, we rescued over 25,000 animals, many of whom had been cruelly abandoned, injured or abused.

“But we also saw so many acts of kindness by animal lovers, from the passer-by who rescued a shivering and sick puppy days before Christmas, to those who reported suffering animals to our cruelty hotline or volunteers caring for animals in our centres and branches.

“We are asking animal lovers across the country to show kindness this Christmas by supporting our winter appeal.”

During December last year and January (2017), 10,209 incidents were reported to the RSPCA in the East of England with 316 of those happening across Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

From poorly, unwanted pets callously dumped on the streets to animals and wildlife deliberately cruelly treated, RSPCA inspectors are preparing to see heartbreaking cruelty and neglect this festive season.

• To help please visit www.rspca.org.uk/winterappeal.