An elderly woman is offering £1,000 of her life savings in a bid to help catch whoever is responsible for a series of cat mutilations and killings.

The pensioner, who wishes to remain anonymous, was "dreadfully shocked" when The Argus revealed the horrific crimes against cats that began in May.

At least ten pets have been butchered in Chichester, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill. Heads have been left in flowerpots and in carrier bags on owners' doorsteps. Some have been returned alive with eyes gouged out and legs and tails cut off.

At least 30 more are missing and since The Argus article was printed, two more beheaded cats have been found in Rustington.

A £2,000 reward is already on offer from West Sussex Wildlife Protection and the RSPCA for anyone giving information leading to a prosecution.

The benefactor, who has lived in Hove for 25 years, said she did not feel the amount was enough and hoped her donation would spur people to speak up.

She said: "I have never heard of anybody doing something as awful as this. It is simply horrendous. I have been a cat lover since I was a young girl.

"I don't have any now because I live in a tower block and it would be cruel to keep them here. But whether you love cats or not you would be appalled by this. These cats are defenceless."

Sussex Police are investigating the incidents.

They have enlisted the help of pet detective June Bailey, who has been compiling files on all the missing and murdered cats and people she believes may be responsible.

She said: "I'm sure the incidents are linked. They take place near a bypass or on estates backing on to wasteland.

The evidence I have collected indicates it is more than one person carrying out the attacks. It is obviously someone with a severe psychiatric problem."

Anybody with information should contact the RSPCA on 0870 5555999, Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 and Mrs Bailey on 01903 772176.