THREE men have been arrested after a dead cat was found in a microwave oven, police said yesterday.

The discovery was made at a house on the Blue Hall Estate, Stockton, after a Boxing Day party.

A police spokeswomen said that three men had been arrested and bailed in connection with the incident, and more arrests were expected at a further date.

Police were called to the house after the revellers had left the party and the cat's owner had found the one-year-old female cat.

The body of the cat was taken away for examination in a joint inquiry by Cleveland Police and the RSPCA.

Volunteers from the Cat Orphanage are caring for the cat's five kittens.

The orphanage said it had received 20 calls about the kittens since they appeared in The Northern Echo yesterday.

A volunteer from the orphanage said: "Some people have seen the pictures and just rang on impulse and they don't always make the right owners.

"We have had people who already have cats from us and rang again when they saw the pictures. Either way the best thing is for people to think about it first and then give us a ring."

It is hoped the kittens will be well enough to be placed with new owners in a month's time.

Anyone who would like to take on the responsibility must agree to a home visit and meet the orphanage criteria. For more information, contact the Cat Orphanage on (01642) 556005 or 291849.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact PC Suzanne Coverdale on (01642) 302226.