STAFF at a Worcester veterinary practice had the shock of their life when they discovered four little finches abandoned in a cage in the doorway of their premises.

Now, the caring vets and veterinary nurses are pledging to look after the hapless birds until either their owner comes forward or they can find them a new loving home.

The four finches, which are smaller than the size of a sparrow, were discovered in the birdcage at the Severn Veterinary Centre, in Mill Wood Drive, The Lyppards, by a member of staff, last Friday.

Ruth Shorrock, a vet at the centre, said the birds could possibly have been abandoned by an elderly person who may no longer be able to cope with looking after them.

"The birds are certainly fairly young, fit and healthy and have been flying around here chirping away as happy as Larry," she added.

"They look in good condition, there's food and water in their cage, which has a bell and a mirror in it, so they have obviously been well looked after.

"I suspect their owner could have been an elderly person. Elderly people, I have found, are more likely to keep birds.

"Perhaps they've gone into hospital or a care home and couldn't take the birds with them, and thought they would leave them with us and we would be able to look after them."

She said no one had seen anyone leave the birds and that they did not have any customers who own finches.

"We want to hang on to them to make sure that if the owner wants them back they can come forward," she added. "If they feel they cannot look after them but want to come forward they can help us re-home them."

She said she was hoping the birds, which have white chests and black and white striped feathers, would be ideal for someone who was experienced with finches or had an aviary which would be suitable for them.

Anyone interested, or the owner of the birds, should call the veterinary centre on 01905 421296.