THEY could have easily been run over or even eaten by a fox, after being abandoned in the middle of a dark country lane.For only the brightness of their tiny eyes separated the kittens from the dark shadows of the trees.

THEY could have easily been run over or even eaten by a fox, after being abandoned in the middle of a dark country lane.

For only the brightness of their tiny eyes separated the kittens from the dark shadows of the trees.

But thanks to the sharp vision and kind-hearted actions of motorist Samantha Brand, this bundle of five fluffy tabbies is now safe and sound in a Stowmarket veterinary surgery.

Miss Brand, of Whatfield Road, Naughton, near Ipswich, discovered the five-week old kittens in a lane on the outskirts of Hitcham, while travelling home from the gym on Sunday evening.

At first the 29-year-old thought she had seen a pheasant when she came across the animals, which were cuddled up along the white line which separates the traffic.

However, on closer inspection she soon realised that the bundle of grey and black fur was indeed five kittens.

"As I got nearer I saw lots of little eyes staring at me and I quickly turned the car round and came back on myself," said Miss Brand, who works as a secretary at an accountant firm.

"I stopped the car and luckily had a box in my car in which I placed the poor, scared little creatures."

Not knowing much about cats, Miss Brand took the animals back to her house and spent three hours calling organisations such as the RSPCA and vets in the area in the hope they could offer them a temporary home.

After contacting Stowmarket Veterinary Group, in Bury Road, Stowmarket, Miss Brand was relieved to be told the surgery could take care of the kittens until an owner was found, and the felines were soon snuggled up together in a warm blanket.

Jo Webster, who works at the veterinary surgery, said the kittens had been well cared for and had eaten shortly before being discovered along the isolated road.

While their owner may have abandoned them, the veterinary worker said it was more likely that the mother of the kittens had taken them to the spot herself because she thought it was safe.

The animals will be kept at the surgery for the next few weeks, however five homes have already been found for them if the owner does not come forward.