A black cat was trapped inside a container, dumped in woodland in west Cumbria and left to die.

Animal charity the RSPCA is now urgently appealing for help in tracing the culprits.

The cat was found trapped in a pet carrier beside a woodland path between Kiln Brown and Longlands Lake, in Cleator Moor, by a member of the public at 11.30am on Saturday.

The RSPCA is now caring for the animal, which is reportedly in good condition, however they have warned that had it not been found things could have been far worse.

Inspector Chris Towler said: "This is not an acceptable way to dispose of your unwanted animal.

"The fact it was confined in the carrier meant it had no chance of getting home, no chance of doing anything other than just sitting and waiting for whatever fate beheld it.

"If the cat had not been found then there was the potential for it to starve to death in that box."

He warned that it was not just starvation which could have been the cat's demise: "There are also the miscreants of the world who may see a cat in a basket and think it is fair game.

"There is a river just next to where it was found, so who knows what fate it could have had."

The news comes as a national report revealed that animal abusers in Cumbria are more likely to be jailed than anywhere else in the UK.

In the county, 28.1 per cent of animal abuse cases in the region result in a prison sentence, compared to a national average of just 8 per cent.

This is despite evidence showing that in the 10 years leading up to the end of 2015, 13,835 offences, including murder and rape, were committed by individuals possessing a previous conviction or caution for animal cruelty.

Inspector Towler said: "It used to be very common that cats would get turfed out when they were not wanted but it's not very often that they are left in their carriers.

"Most people who decide to depart with their animals will normally get hold of an animal charity in order to assist them with their quest to find a new home."

The RSPCA say they have been unable to identify the cat's owner but are keen to speak to anybody who may be able to assist with their investigation.

"The carrier is not small and is very distinctive so it might be that a neighbour or somebody else has seen the owner walking in the street or carrying it down that path," said Inspector Towler.

"If we can't identify an owner then the cat will have to be put up for homing."

Anybody with information should contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 999.