Dusty the kitten rescued by Southwark bin man

Mark Jacques was empting refuse bins near New Kent Road when he saw the tiny kitten peering out from under a banana skin at the back of the store cupboard where the bins are kept.

"I couldn't believe it," he said. "A bin store is no place for a kitten and he looked terrified so I picked him up and brought him back to the office to find out how we could help him.

"I hope his owner gets him back or he finds a good home."

The cat has been checked by a vet and is not microchipped. Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has been informed of the find. If anybody has lost a little black kitten, Veolia – which runs Southwark Council's waste and recycling service – is asking that they get in touch.

In the meantime the kitten, who has been named 'Dusty', is being looked after by a Veolia employee and his family.