THESE are the lucky ones. Four little kittens found abandoned in a cardboard box are believed to be the brothers and sisters of a kitten starved to death and hurled down a rubbish chute in a Hampshire block of flats.

The tiny creatures, aged about four weeks, are recovering at an RSPCA animal centre after being discovered half a mile from where their sister died in Winchester last week.

The three dark tabbies and one black kitten were heard crying by a passer-by who rescued them from bins at the back of flats in Forder Court, in the St Cross area of Winchester.

Their sister was found nearby in a plastic bag full of water after a resident heard her cries at Woolford Close, Stanmore, but the pet lost her fight for life minutes later.

RSPCA inspectors believe the owners may have been scared into dumping the rest of the litter after they started door-to-door inquiries into the death.

Now they are even more determined to track down who's responsible.

Inspector Jan Edwards, leading the probe, said: "They are the spitting image of the first kitten and I'm convinced they are from the same litter.

"They should still be with their mum and I'm worried about her really.

"I'm wondering if something has happened to mum or if the kittens have been taken from somewhere.

"There's all sorts of different scenarios.

"That's why it's so important that anyone who knows anything about the kittens comes forward.

"The kittens are all very underweight, but they are picking up and doing well. They're lovely."

RSPCA spokesman Jo Barr added: "We think they probably would have gone the same way and we're incredibly grateful that they were found in time.

"But that doesn't take away from what happened to the other kitten."

The kittens, who have not yet been named, are now gaining weight as they are looked after by staff at Stubbington Ark near Fareham.

They will be rehomed in pairs when they reach nine weeks if they are all well enough.

Anyone with information is urged to call the cruelty hotline on 08705 555999.