A KITTEN found close to death in the back of a goods vehicle from France has made a full recovery and is looking for a new home.

Laurie – found in a lorry – was just a week old when he was found next to the dead body of another kitten when the lorry entered Portsmouth Docks.

But a few months in quarantine and some loving care at the Cats Pro-tection Homing Centre in Ferndown have done the stowaway the world of good and he’s now fighting fit.

Homing centre manager Donna Ward said: “He was at death’s door and things weren’t looking good for him.

"At just a week old he had to be hand reared and required a lot of round-the-clock care, but fortunately, he responded very well to treatment and, after a few months in quarantine, he was brought to our centre.

“He’s a lively little character and we’re hoping to find him a home in the Dorset area.

“He would be best suited to a home without young children.

“He has an air of mystery about him because we don’t know how far he had travelled in the van or where in France he had come from but we’re hoping he can finally put his paws on firm ground in the form of a new home.”

Anyone who wishes to adopt Laurie is being urged to make a donation towards the cost of his care and £2,000 quarantine costs. Those interested should call the Homing Centre on 03000 120175.

- Black cats traditionally take longer to home than other colours so a black cat, coffee and cake morning is being held at the centre on Thursday, October 30, from 11am until 12.30pm to raise awareness of the issue.