75581-9A BADLY injured cat could have been put in a bonfire after being left in a pile of rubbish outside a vets' hospital.

The cat, who had sores and infections because her leg had been caught in her collar, was dumped in a cardboard box which had been put on a pile of rubbish to be burned.

Luckily, a nurse at Drove Veterinary Hospital heard the cat and rescued her yesterday

Hospital marketing co-ordinator Jane Carter said: "She was in an awful state. Her leg was caught in her collar and it had rubbed and rubbed.

"She was very thin and hungry but bright and friendly. She was in a cardboard box where we put the rubbish for burning.

"If it was somebody's cat and they thought it was going to cost a lot of money why not bring her in and say they found her?

"If someone found her and brought her here that's great but they should have brought her in."

Vets originally thought Louise, named after student nurse Louise Alderwick who found her, might need her leg amputated but now they hope she will recover with skin grafts.

Wootton Bassett Cat Protection has offered to pay for Louise's treatment and find a home for her when she is better.

Anyone interested in taking her, or donating to the organisation, should contact Duncan or Jackie Thom on 01793 850833.