THE RSPCA has issued a CCTV image of a man it would like to speak to after a cat was dumped in a bag and thrown over a fence.

The animal charity launched an appeal for information after the ginger cat it was discovered on 20 February in Basildon at around 4.15pm.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: "The carrier had been taped-up and wrapped in a bin bag and inside the carrier was a bag for life with the cat hiding underneath the bag,"

The man charity investigation officers would like to speak to was caught on CCTV in the area and the spokesperson said he could hold "vital information in connection with this incident".

CCTV image of a man wearing glasses, a dark jacket and light blue t-shirt who the RSPCA would like to speak to has been released.

He has been described as white, wearing glasses, a dark jacket and light blue t-shirt and he arrived in the area on a bike.

The spokesperson added that the cat, aged three, "doesn't have any injuries but the vet explained that he has clearly been very stressed by the experience,"

Animal rescue officer, Michael Harrington said: "It appears this poor cat was thrown over a fence and dumped in someone else's garden.

"Thankfully, a member of the public spotted what had happened and went out and was shocked to find the cat at the bottom of their garden.

"The carrier had been taped-up and wrapped in a bin bag and inside the carrier was a bag for life with the cat hiding underneath the bag.

"The kind member of the public took him straight to a vet where he had a full check over."

The cat was not microchipped or found wearing collar when they were taken to Medivet Laindon who found a caring fosterer to look after the cat while the RSPCA investigate.