An abandoned kitten has defied the odds and survived being left alone in a garden at a time when he should have been safely by his mother’s side.

‘Tiny Tim’ is believed to have been around only a week old when he was found under a hedge by gardener Lloyd Houghton in Chipping Campden.

Mr Houghton rushed the little kitten to Cats Protection’s Evesham Adoption Centre.

He said: “I was working in a customer's garden and heard what I initially thought was bird noises. The noise continued from the same place and out of curiosity I had to go and investigate.

“That was when I found him helpless on the soil and wailing. I could see he was in need of special care as he was far too young to be away from his mother.”

Cotswold Journal: Tiny Tim sleeping. Photo: Cats ProtectionTiny Tim sleeping. Photo: Cats Protection

Mr Houghton added: “I tried to look for the mother, who I think is a feral cat that roams the gardens but there was no cat or any more kittens to be found.

“I checked with the neighbours and they knew nothing either, so I popped him in a box and wrapped him in a flannel for warmth before taking him to the adoption centre where they took charge.”

Volunteers at the centre took good care of Tim, providing a bed, kitten milk and a teddy with a heartbeat, to make him feel as though he was with mum and siblings.

Cotswold Journal: Staff at the Evesham centre took good care of the tiny kitten. Photo: Cats ProtectionStaff at the Evesham centre took good care of the tiny kitten. Photo: Cats Protection

Amie Jones, deputy centre manager, said: “We have no way of knowing why Tim got abandoned. He was extremely vulnerable and certainly would not have survived much longer if he hadn’t been brought to us.

Tiny Tim is now under the care of fosterer and cat care assistant at the centre, Dan Smith.

He said: “He is a bright little spark and full of beans who will make a great pet for a very lucky family!

“He just adores having people around, perhaps because he’s never known any different.”

Once Tim is nine weeks old, he will be ready to find a new home and details will be posted on www.cats.org.uk/evesham.