Two Jack Russell puppies have been rescued by a dog-walker after they were left to die in undergrowth near an isolated bridleway.

The pups, estimated to be about six to eight weeks old, are now recovering with a foster carer working for the Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service (Wadars).

The dogs were dumped in a rural area in Storrington.

They were sniffed out by a dog walking with its owner and taken in by Wadars.

The abandoned puppies are both bitches and have been named Snoopy and Peanut.

They are the latest in a string of recent animal rescues.

Billy Elliott, of Wadars, said he was contacted by a man who admitted he fly-tipped a washing machine on the Downs but went back the following day to pick it up and take it to the tip.

When he got to it, he discovered a box of seven baby hamsters inside the drum.

In another incident, a woman found four six-week-old kittens dumped in a field in Ford and a woman who went out to her dustbin in Goring found a water dragon lizard in a box.

All the animals were rescued and survived. Mr Elliott said: "We seem to be having more animals being dumped and coming in to us before Christmas than we usually do after Christmas.

"We think it's because people want to go away or they have the general expense of Christmas and don't want to pay for animals."

Anyone who wants to rehome any of the dumped animals should ring 01903 217788.