The annual practice of pet dumping has begun and chinchillas, chipmunks, cockatiels and rabbits are among the animals out in the cold for Christmas.

Rescue workers from Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service (Wadars) picked up a cat dumped on a vet's doorstep in Storrington on Tuesday.

A chipmunk was captured after being released in Lancing at the weekend. And the number of pets being dumped is increasing by the day.

Billy Elliott, rescue officer with Wadars, said a rabbit was abandoned at the sports centre in Storrington on Tuesday and two more were left on a doorstep in West Way, Lancing, on Wednesday.

They had also collected a chinchilla, two cockatiels and a parakeet from Worthing.

Mr Elliott said: "I know it sounds cynical but as soon as the Christmas lights go up, the pets get thrown out. We think a lot of people throw them out because they are going away and don't want to pay for kennels."

The additional seasonal orphans puts pressure on the organisation's already heavy workload, trying to rehome pets which have arrived at the centre because their owners cannot keep them.

One such pet is Max, a ten-month-old, collie/German shepherd cross.

His family could no longer keep him because they worked and lived in a flat.

Max and many other animals at Wadars are looking for new homes. Anyone who can help should phone 01903 217788.