A charity has issued a warning about the number of cats being given up.

Figures released by Cats Protection, based at Chelwood Gate, near Haywards Heath, show an ever-decreasing number of people coming forward to adopt cats, while the number of people needing to give up a cat or report a stray is on the rise.

Peter Hepburn, Cats Protection’s chief executive, said: “The recession has been disastrous for the UK’s pets.”