A kitten which suffered horrific injuries when its stomach was cut open by broken glass has survived a series of operations.

Brenda Satterley, owner of Allerton Cat Rescue where the cat was taken in, said its injuries were among the worst she has ever seen.

The kitten, called Rosie, was found, aged around three-months-old, with a cut running from the front to the back of her body. One of her legs had also been broken.

Vets feared Rosie would not survive the operations and when her wound became badly infected she was very close to death. But the kitten survived her ordeal and is now happily running around Brenda's Allerton home.

Brenda, who is keeping her as a pet, said Rosie amazingly still loves being around people.

"Considering what someone has done to her, she's very loving and playful," she said.

"I've seen cats in some terrible states but what happened to Rosie was one of the worst things I've seen. This brutal cruelty is sickening. I don't know how anyone could do such a thing to a defenceless creature."

Brenda took the cat in when she was contacted by a woman who had found her in a garden in the Allerton area. Barely conscious and covered in blood, with her stomach severely injured, the cat was taken straight to the vets.

"She's had seven weeks of treatment at the vets. She had four operations and her broken leg has been pinned. The vet thought he would have to amputate it but she pulled through," said Brenda.

"Her wound went very septic and she suffered a great deal. It took a long time to heal.

"She's done amazingly. The staff at Beamsley Vets in Shipley - where she was treated - all fell in love with her."

Now Brenda, who runs the cat rescue centre from her home at Prune Park Inn in Allerton, is appealing for help to pay for Rosie's vets fees.

"It has been a long course of treatment and has cost a fortune," she said.

"We have 20 cats at the rescue centre and it's always a struggle to find funding. We would really appreciate donations to help pay for Rosie's treatment."

Anyone who can help is asked to ring Brenda on (01274) 549122.

l Allerton Cat Rescue is holding a fundraising bric-a-brac sale at the Prune Park Inn from 11am to 2pm on Sunday January 27.