Homeless Holly is hoping to find a new owner after being abandoned just before Christmas.

The Bedlington terrier is among scores of unwanted pets that need homes.

Holly's sad story began when her owner died. Five days passed before the dog was found.

She was rehomed in Littlehampton but when she became unwell her new owner decided she no longer wanted her.

Holly was taken in by Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service, which has so far spent £1,500 on veterinary treatment.

Billy Elliott, Worthing's animal rescue officer, said: "She is such a sweet and friendly dog. We did not want this to be Holly's last Christmas."

Holly is now in a foster home but the charity is hopeful a new owner will be found.

In the week before Christmas, the service took in 26 rabbits, 18 guinea pigs, 11 cats and nine dogs.

Two of the cats, now named Fred and Stan, were dumped in a bin at the back of the Help the Aged shop in Worthing and were found by chance when a passer-by heard a noise.

The charity is also caring for a springer spaniel called Lucy.

Her owners decided after just six hours that they did not want a dog after she growled at their cat.

Meanwhile, a spaniel puppy left at the Brighton RSPCA centre in Patcham has already been found a new home. The dog was an unwanted Christmas gift.

A spokesman said: "For many years we have been saying pets should not be given as Christmas presents but the problem continues. Around March and April we start to see dogs and cats that have become unwanted gifts."

Trevor Weeks, of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service, has dealt with injured foxes in Rottingdean and Eastbourne and a starling trapped inside Woolworth's in Shoreham.

On Boxing Day he was called to a badly injured badger at Abbots Wood, near Hailsham, which had been attacked by two dogs.