THESE adorable kittens were found in an abandoned car in a scrapyard - and three of them are at risk of going blind.

Yorkshire Cat Rescue, near Keighley, had a call about stray kittens living there since birth, who looked to be in very poor condition.

After taking them to the vet, the charity discovered that three of the 'scrapyard kittens' were born without upper eyelids. Their eyes don't close properly and they get dry and sore, and at risk of infection. The kittens need surgery to remove a strip of skin from their lip - one of the few parts of a cat's body that doesn't have fur - to create an eyelid.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: One of the abandoned kittens One of the abandoned kittens

Charity founder Sara Atkinson says: “We could remove the eyes but that would make them instantly blind. We want them to have a window on the world, to be able to watch birds and chase butterflies. We want to take away their pain and let the keep the gift of sight.

"It's very, very complex surgery. YCR has been quoted £2,500 per eye - and there are six eyes that need doing, so that's £15,000. It's a difficult surgery requiring specialist vets and it can have complications."

The charity has launched a special appeal to raise funds for the surgery.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A cuddle for one of the scrapyard kittens A cuddle for one of the scrapyard kittens

Adds Sara: "Please donate towards the kittens' vet costs if you can. We're not the biggest charity and can only do so much. We've got staff members fundraising and other events planned to raise funds too. Every penny we raise will make a huge difference.”

For more about the appeal go to yorkshirecatrescue.org