A blind dog, who was abandoned without food, water or shelter, could see again, after an appeal was launched to pay for eye surgery.

Delphine, a six-year-old springer spaniel, was discovered tied to a pallet of bricks in Hayle Place, Maidstone, in May.

She had cataracts in both eyes, so was completely blind, and was distressed and weak. She also had ear infections.

But with plenty of TLC from staff at the RSPCA centre in Castle Way, Leybourne, she is on the mend.

Now staff want to help her further and have launched an appeal to restore her sight.

Tests at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket have found the sight in her left eye could not be saved, but her right eye is a good candidate for surgery.

They have launched a fundraising appeal to find the £2,500 for her to undergo the surgery - which will be carried out by the specialist vets at a reduced price - and for her after care.

Centre manager Christine Dooley said: "The last familiar sound she would have heard was her owners footsteps walking away, then she was plunged into an unknown world of noises and smells - the RSPCA Inspector that rescued her, the van as she was driven to Leybourne Animal Centre, then the overwhelming sound of dozens of dogs barking in the kennels.

"Delphine is a lovely, gentle character and has coped incredibly well. She's grown fond of the staff is going for short walks taking the same route so she learns about her new surroundings.

"If we could restore some of her sight she would grow in confidence and it would make her transition to a new home a great deal easier. Please help us to give Delphine a much brighter future."

To donate to the fund, visit https://www.justgiving.com/LeybourneDelphine/

Any surplus funds will be used to rehabilitate and treat other animals like her at the centre.