A DISTRESSED kitten was discovered to have a stick in its rectum after its owner returned home from collecting her children from school.

Lisa Woods and her six-year-old daughter found Blossom the kitten with a wooden stick in its rectum and were shocked at the sight.

The family from Great Hollands, Holbeck bought Blossom for their daughter to cheer her up as she recently finished chemo at Great Ormand Street.

Rod Woods, who is the father, said: "My wife and I are both confused and upset about this.

"Blossom is the sweetest and friendliest out of all of our four cats so it is that friendliness that has led to this happening to her."

The family took her to the vet straight away and they had to anaesthetise her to remove the stick and give some pain medications.

He added: "Last Monday (January 21) we had to take her back in as an abscess had formed which they needed to drain.

"Since then we have been back to the vet again as the area around the abscess had started to get infected."

An RSPCA spokesman said: "It is concerning to see these images of this poor cat.

"We would encourage the person who found the kitten to report this to our 24/7 cruelty line on 03001234999 urgently so our inspectors can investigate."