The UK's reputation as a nation of animal lovers has been dented by new figures that show an "alarming" increase in the number of pets being abandoned.

More than 37,000 animals were dumped across England and Wales in the past year, a rise of 9,000, or 34%, from the previous year, according to the RSPCA.

The charity received a call asking for help every 30 seconds.

Financial problems are cited as one of the reasons people are getting rid of their pets, according to the welfare organisation.

Dogs fare the worst, particularly in the summer when owners do not want to pay for them to be looked after while they are away on holiday.

Others would rather spend their money on holidays and summer "treats" rather than pay for veterinary care for newborn or ill animals.

The organisation drew up a list of the most unusual places animals have been found.

A dog was found in a duffel bag, chinchillas were discovered in a cage in a cemetery, while rabbits were rescued from a plant pot.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Ben Strangwood said: "It's bad enough when we find a box of kittens wrapped in blankets on our doorstep with a note.

"But now people are deliberately dumping their animals in out-of-the-way places - like bins, skips or on waste ground - and leaving them to die.

"The shocking fact is that even in a nation of animal lovers, there are thousands of people out there who don't care about their pets at all. In fact, some literally treat them like rubbish."