TWO fox cubs which were left on their own in the wild are now growing up together after being rescued by Secret World Wildlife Rescue.

The wildlife centre, which is based in East Huntspill, had its earliest fox admission ever when one of the cubs was brought in after being on his own for two months.

Animal carers from the centre called a number of other centres to try and find another fox cub to mix him with but had no success until

Hart Wildlife put out a call out for a fox cub which turned out to be the same weight and age as him.

Charlotte Wroe , general support officer at Secret World, said: "We had to get these two boys together so they didn't have to grow up separately and alone, the other cub was sent to us and we mixed them a few days later.

"They're getting on very well together and are already in their grassed enclosures playing all day and night.

"We've now got another three girl fox cubs, all from different places in the South West - Bristol, Gillingham and Exeter.

"It's very bizarre for the staff at Secret World to be preparing big meaty meals for these two and having other fox cubs on milk feeds as well.

"We tried to reunite these with their mums but they weren't lucky enough to be heard and picked up.

"They opened their eyes this week so they will move on to milky meat feeds and go into an indoor pen soon. Until then they are snuggled up together in a brooder, being cared for by animal carer Georgie."

Charlotte said the centre has also treated 20 adult foxes this year for various reasons including mange, severe injuries and collapsed in winter.

All of the adult foxes have since been released back into the wild to enjoy Spring.

"Secret World continues to give advice and rescue wildlife taking in to account all the regulations for the virus and being protective of the public and staff alike," Charlotte said.

"We have unfortunately had to cancel all our open days and fundraising events until July. See what is going on at Secret World on Facebook or our website www.secretworld.org."