A litter of four fox cubs have been rescued after being found abandoned. 

Local wildlife rescue centre RSPCA Oak and Furrows confirmed it was now looking after the four baby foxes after their den was disturbed and their mother did not return. 

The charitable organisation has now urged members of the public to check for signs of nesting wildlife before demolishing garden structures like sheds. 

A spokesperson said: "For those who don't know, it can be easy to assume that wildlife isn't using structures in your garden, especially that degraded old shed that looks like it may collapse at any moment.

"However to the fox, that old shed is an ideal space to dig an earth; it's sheltered and rotting wood attracts invertebrates which attracts other prey.

If you need to move a shed please look for signs of fox activity first, especially while vixens are nursing cubs in earth. Look for an entrance hole and flattened vegetation.

"If you’re unsure whether a den is being used, then cover part of the entrance with loose soil or sticks. 

"This still allows foxes to come and go but if the soil or sticks haven't moved after a few days, the den should be empty.

"If you have confirmed active fox earth, please wait until the end of summer before demolishing structures above it. This will give the cubs time to mature and leave the earth."

Swindon Advertiser: One of the fox cubs

The cubs are now being hand-reared by the team at the centre, based in Cricklade, and in an update provided on April 5, they are said to be 'developing at quite a rate and gaining weight nicely'

"They're looking less like kittens and more like fox cubs," the spokesperson added. 

To keep rescuing wildlife, the centre is asking for people to support them financially if they are able by signing up for a monthly donation - https://donorbox.org/rspca-north-wilts-newbury-main-camp

"Hand-rearing fox cubs is an exhausting and expensive task. It can cost us around £50 a week to care for one fox," the spokesperson said. 

"We currently have five fox cubs in our care, who will hopefully be with us until September. We won't do the calculations as we know the result will be eye-watering.

"You could help support the cost of rearing our cubs by signing up as a monthly supporter, just £2 a month makes a difference to us. Your monthly donation will contribute to their care and the rehabilitation of other animals in our care!"