A woman who neglected more than 100 guinea pigs has been banned from keeping rodents for five years.

Gina Mercer of Whetsted Road, Paddock Wood, was found guilty of three charges of neglect at a hearing at Dartford Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The 54-year-old was also made to pay a £2,250 fine and £7,500 costs.

She kept 131 of the pets in 25 hutches, with straw piled so high in some that the animals had just inches to move.

Mercer's husband, Marcus, 59, was previously cleared of the same offences after a three-day trial at Sevenoaks last month.

The court heard how in May 2013 acting on information provided by a member of the public two RSPCA officials attended the couple's premises.

A video taken at the time by Insp Caroline Doe showed the extent of the issues.

During the clip Insp Doe said: "I have never seen anything like this, there are guinea pigs rammed into the top and some have no water.

"These are the worst conditions I have ever seen."

One of the animals was found dead alongside eight others.

As many as 21 were crammed into one area measuring just 4.5ft by 1.5ft.

Mercer had previously conceded that she had too many pets.

After sentencing Insp Doe said: “These poor animals were living in absolute filth.

“There were far too many guinea pigs living inside each hutch, and they were rammed with so much dirty, sodden bedding that the guinea pigs were touching the top of the hutches. In some cases this unhygienic litter was at least a foot deep.

“Many of the water bottles being used were so black you could not see inside, and the litter was sodden with urine and faeces.

“One of the guinea pigs was found already dead and the others in a very poor state of health - suffering from sore feet, and eye, ear and teeth infections.

“There were simply too many of the animals living in the same space, in completely unsuitable conditions, and they simply were not coping.”

The guinea pigs have all since been rehomed.