Families are horrified after a number of cats have died from being poisoned by antifreeze or a similar chemical in Bicester.

Five cats have died in the last two months in the town's Caversfield area.

Two of the cats, which were found dead within 10 days of each other last month, had blood tests carried out by a local vet who diagnosed kidney failure caused by ethylene glycol, the main component of antifreeze.

Police in Bicester have been carrying out house-to-house inquiries in Fairhaven Road.

Resident Debbie Scott said: "My cat is safe so far. The police have been knocking on doors handing out flyers and asking everyone to keep an eye out for non-cat owners putting out food, or anything suspicious." Pcso Alison Drury, of Bicester police, said there has been no indication that any of the cats had been deliberately poisoned by an individual. She said: "Both a vet and an RSPCA inspector have advised that antifreeze poisoning in animals is more often caused by them going back repeatedly to the source of a spill."

Police issued letters to residents with advice on how to prevent chemicals being a hazard to children and pets and how to deter cats from entering gardens. Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505.