FIVE freezing bunnies were dumped in a Worcestershire wood as temperatures reached sub zero levels on Leap Year Sunday.

Nick Boaz spotted one tame rabbit after another hopping about in the snow alongside Trench Wood, near Crowle, as he travelled to work at the weekend.

Fetching his wife Sarah, daughter Amy and her friend Sarah Moon, the group spent two hours chasing tails before the quintet was brought back to the family farm nearby.

After a good night's sleep in an outbuilding, they were picked up by the RSPCA and taken to Brentknoll Veterinary Centre in Bath Road, where the underweight rabbits were found to have overgrown claws and teeth.

"We assume they were just abandoned in the woods and with snow on the ground and frosty nights, they stood little chance of survival," said Andrea, a volunteer at the Worcester and mid Worcestershire of the RSPCA.

"We are now appealing for people to come forward and offer them homes."

Dumped

Mrs Boaz said the rabbits were probably dumped that morning or they wouldn't have survived the cold, hunger or foxes.

"They were just roaming about and obviously didn't know what was going on, the poor things" she said.

With the sudden arrival of the five newcomers, the RSPCA is now running at full capacity and is desperate to find homes for 25 rabbits and three guinea pigs.

"It means we are unable to help other animals in need until these are re-homed," she said.

"All we ask is for new owners to ensure they have regular vaccinations and offer a small donation to help us continue to help small animals in need."

The five "friendly" rabbits found were named and sexed at Brentknoll and placed with 'foster mums', who will keep them until new owners are found.

The large black male is Thumper while the four females are black and white Beryl, who is about three years old, and 18-month-old girls, Cracker, Simba and Lucky.

Cracker and Simba are tortoiseshell and harlequin while Lucky is black and white.

For more information on providing a caring home for the animals mentioned call Andrea on 07812 541590 or Eileen on 01905 428819.

Alternatively visit www.rspca-worcester.co.uk for details of all cats, dogs and small animals that are neutered and ready for re-homing.