Three cats at a Sussex animal rescue centre have given birth to their very own England World Cup squad.

Along with most of the nation, staff at the Blue Cross centre in Northiam, near Rye, have been hit by football fever.

So when the three cats brought eight new arrivals into the world, they were quickly named after the national soccer squad.

Centre manager Liz Grant said: "We're all going mad about the football here so we just couldn't resist naming them after our boys.

"We have called the mums Becks, Owen and Seaman and the kittens Sol, Rio, Nicky, Emilia, Ashley, Danny, Paul and Trevor.

"And the way they all look after each other shows they're a real team."

All 11 cats are doing well and The Blue Cross hopes to rehome them soon.

Ms Grant said: "They're fighting fit and looking good - just like our boys in Japan."