THESE tiny puppies were crammed into a closed box and left to die on one of the hottest days of the year.

They and two other cross-breed pups -- no more than four weeks old -- were discovered terrified and severely dehydrated dumped in a field off Maple Crescent, Westleigh.

For the two others, the rescue came too late. They died.

But the three pictured here are recovering well at a Tyldesley vets after their ordeal.

RSPCA inspector Cathy Hyde said: "How could somebody do this? It beggars belief that someone could do something this heartless."

She is keen to trace a mystery man who was seen leaving the box on Tuesday as the temperature soared to 30C (86F). The five traumatised puppies were discovered by a young woman walking her dog. She took them home before contacting the RSPCA.

One of the pups died overnight and another lost its fight for life on Wednesday.

The puppies -- which were all underweight and suffering from worms -- are now being cared for at Tyldesley Vets, in Elliott Street, Tyldesley.

Staff have taken the surviving animals -- called Gareth, Nikki and Sally -- to their hearts and have been taking them home at night to look after.

RSPCA inspector Cathy Hyde appealed for help in tracing the man who abandoned them.

Inspector Hyde said: "This field is at the rear of a housing estate. It is my belief that the man will be local, so someone on or around the estate must know of a neighbour whose dog has recently given birth to this litter.

"The puppies are all black and white cross-breeds and show clear signs of having collie or terrier in their breeding line. We do not think they have been left out in the field for too long -- but it was still a very hot day and all these puppies would have died had they not been found so quickly.

"Although the background circumstances to this case are not yet known, it is likely that this is an unexpected litter that an owner either didn't want or didn't feel able to cope with.

"There is no excuse for abandoning such young and vulnerable animals in this heartless way."

The RSPCA will find homes for the puppies once they are older and have fully recovered.

Anyone who knows the identity of the person who abandoned them is urged to leave a message for Inspector Cathy Hyde on the 24-hour RSPCA advice and cruelty number 08705 555 999. Calls are charged at the national rate and treated in confidence.

More information about care of animals, including advice on neutering, is available on the RSPCA website www.rspca.org.uk