Six cats have died after being "deliberately" poisoned with antifreeze.

The pets were all killed in Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire, between May 15 and June 7, the Scottish SPCA said.

Ethylene glycol - or antifreeze - was found after one of the cats underwent a post-mortem.

All of the victims lived close to each other, according to the animal welfare charity, which believes the cats were deliberately targeted.

A Scottish SPCA undercover inspector said: "We were made aware of this spate of poisonings after one of the victims was sent away for a post-mortem, the results of which confirmed our fears.

"Ethylene glycol is highly poisonous to cats and causes a very slow, painful death.

"In this case all six cats lived in close proximity to each other so we are dealing with what appears to be a very cruel and deliberate act.

"It is essential that everyone stores antifreeze out of reach of cats and other animals.

"There are strict guidelines for use and anyone who uses this substance to cause deliberate harm is committing an offence."

Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.