AN alert is being issued to pet owners after pollen from a bunch of supermarket flowers killed a cat.

The cat brushed against the flowers and then licked the pollen from its fur.

Within minutes she started being sick and within hours had gone blind and died.

Emma Cartwright, a vet at the Drove Veterinary Hospital, Croft Road said: "All lilies are poisonous to cats, with just one leaf eaten possibly leading to death.

"Symptoms of poisoning from these plants include protracted vomiting, anorexia and depression and ingestion can cause severe, possibly fatal kidney damage."

She added: "Cats can survive if taken to a vet within six hours but the chances of survival decrease rapidly after that. After 18 hours the kidneys stop working."

The RSPCA is hoping to work with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons poison department to produce information fact sheets and figures about this poisoning.

They will also urge manufacturers and producers to issue warnings on their goods.

The Easter Lily and Tiger Lily are both common in cut flower bouquets but all members of the lilium flower family are treated with urgency in cases of contact or ingestion by cats.

If you have any concerns about your cat's health, contact your vet for information and advice about this fatally potential problem.