More than 700 animal welfare incidents in Cumbria were attended by the RSPCA throughout the Covid-19 lockdown, new figures have revealed.

The animal welfare charity continued its important work rescuing and caring for all manner of creatures from the beginning of lockdown and right the way through.

Nationally, between March 24 and August 5, the RSPCA dealt with 106,676 incidents.

Of those, 743 were in Cumbria - an average of five incidents per day.

One of the many examples of animal rescues in Cumbria carried out by RSPCA officers was the recovery of a 3ft-long corn snake discovered in a Workington allotment in April.

Animal welfare officer Graham Carter recovered the snake after it had been confined under a bin lid, and it was then taken to a specialist to be cared for.

In addition to continuing its work rescuing and caring for animals in need, throughout the coronavirus lockdown RSPCA officers also found themselves collecting animals from the homes of people who have been admitted to hospital with Covid-19, who did not not have anyone else to care for them while their owners were being treated.

Like all charities, the RSPCA has experienced a significant impact on its finances as a result of Covid-19, with most opportunities for fundraising instantly cut off when the lockdown was imposed.

The charity is calling on the public to continue supporting it with donations in light of these pressures.

Dermot Murphy, the RSPCA's chief inspectorate officer, said: “We’ve had to quickly and drastically change the way we work during these unprecedented times, from the way we rehome animals to the PPE we wear when responding to calls.

“But the priority for us during lockdown has been to continue to be there for those animals who need us - while also helping people who have been hit hard by the pandemic."

Mr Murphy added that the presence of a global pandemic has not put a stop to there being animals in need of care, and stressed that funding is necessary for that to continue.

"Our staff are as busy as ever collecting abandoned animals, investigating complaints of cruelty, providing life-saving veterinary treatment to the sick and injured, and finding wonderful new homes for our residents," he said.

"To continue our vital work and to survive the huge impact this pandemic has had on the economy and, therefore, the charity sector, we really need your help.

"Please donate whatever you can spare at www.rspca.org.uk/covid.”