APPALLED RSPCA inspectors believe a cat was hit around the face before being thrown from a car window in a cat basket on to a road side.

The creature was found crawling with maggots and dying locked in a cat basket at the bottom of a ditch, several weeks later, a spokesman for the charity said.

It was only when a driver stopped to take a photograph of the area that he spotted the grey and white cat and alerted the RSPCA. The cat was taken to a vet from where she was found in Easthorpe Road, Colchester, but had to be put down.

She had severe injuries to her face and was extremely emaciated, although it is not known whether this was because she had been left there to starve for so long.

RSPCA inspector Samantha Garvey said: “I could barely believe this cat was still alive, she was in such a terrible state.

“I can honestly say it was one of the most heart-wrenching sights I have ever seen.

“She was emaciated beyond belief and looked as if she had been hit around the face before being thrown out of the window.

“She was also crawling with maggots.

“What makes it worse is that we think she was lying there in that cat basket, suffering and unnoticed, for several weeks.

“It was pure chance this passer- by stopped by the side of the road to take a photo and came across her, miaowing in the middle of nettles, bushes and some fly-tipped rubbish.

“It looks like someone had cared about her once, as she was wearing a pink collar with three bells on it, and quite a bit of sparkly bling.

“Sadly, there was nothing which could be done to save this poor cat – she was in such a bad state.

“We took her straight to a vet who said she had to be put to sleep to prevent further suffering.

“We urge anyone with any information about where this cat came from and how she came to be dumped so callously in this way to call us on 0300 123 8018.