THREE tiny puppies were found abandoned in a cardboard box beside a country road.

The underweight spaniels, just weeks old, were close to a pile of rubbish next to the B4696 near Lydiard Plain between Royal Wootton Bassett and South Cerney on December 21.

They were taken by a member of the public to RSPCA Oak & Furrows Wildlife Centre before being taken into the care of the team at the charity's Cheltenham and East Gloucestershire Branch. 

Animal rescue officer Freya Lamb is now investigating how the puppies, who have been named Mary, Holly and Rudey, came to be abandoned.

She said: “These poor puppies are all sadly underweight and suffering with ear mites. One of the dogs also has cherry eye which needs veterinary treatment. They are very nervous and scared and don't want to go near anyone.”

The RSPCA has been raising awareness of the shocking reality faced by abandoned and neglected pets this festive season with its film ‘Heart’.

The film, made in-house and starring the charity’s staff who gave up their own time for filming, features an exclusive cover of Blondie’s ‘Heart of Glass’ by Gabrielle Aplin.

The clip tells the story of an injured and abandoned dog who is helped to safety by an RSPCA rescuer before his life is transformed by love and care. It comes as the RSPCA reports a 25 per cent rise in abandonment incidents being dealt with by its teams.

If anyone has any information about the puppies they are urged to contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.