THE RSPCA today reveals the "horrific face" of animal cruelty across the region as new figures show a year-on-year rise in complaints to the charity.

The organisation graphically illustrated a number of appalling cruelty cases, and said it had seen a rise in the number of animals failing to receive even the most basic care.

In the Northern region - which includes the North-East and North Yorkshire - there were 35,280 complaints last year by members of public worried about animal welfare - up from 30,900 the previous year.

The RSPCA carried out more rescues of animals in distress - 2,456 in 2004, compared to 2,265 in 2003.

Staff also collected and took away more unwanted and abandoned animals - 35,001 in 2004, compared to 30,894 the previous year.

The figures once again shamed the region - long known as the worst area in the country for animal cruelty - and last night led to renewed calls to strengthen welfare laws.

In the past year, this region has seen a catalogue of shocking cruelty cases including:

l The discovery of nearly 40 dead animals, including horses, birds, dogs and a rabbit, found in filthy conditions at Bank Top Stables in Trimdon, County Durham;

l A Jack Russell terrier found dead in an alleyway in Middlesbrough having been stabbed and kicked to death;

l 17 cats found in a skeletal condition at a home in Darlington after being under-fed;

l A hamster cooked to death in a microwave in Middlesbrough.

The RSPCA said nationally it had seen 68,732 animals between in the past year who were not even having basic needs met, such as access to food, shelter and water - an increase of 78 per cent.

Five years ago, The Northern Echo launched its Animal Watch campaign with the RSPCA to raise awareness of animal cruelty, but examples of neglect have continued to be uncovered.

Inspector Garry Palmer, who patrols County Durham for the RSPCA, said in the past year he had to deal with some of the worst cases he had ever seen.

He said: "It just seems to be the same year in, year out. It may be that people are simply more aware and making more phone calls to us when they are concerned about the welfare of pets and animals.

"Equally though, people just don't seem to learn their lessons. With the North-East's bad record, we don't know whether that is down to the fact there are more deprived areas up here than elsewhere, or that perhaps more people here just don't have respect for animals."