Two Tamworth boar pigs abandoned near a train station have been rescued by a Swanley based animal charity.

Second Chance Animal Rescue founder John Ranger, from Orpington, received an unusual call from Kent Police on Friday night when the pair of pigs, nicknamed Rodney and Liam, were dumped on the side of the A225 near Eynsford station.

The following morning Mr Ranger and partner Susan Brady, assisted by other volunteers on the road, loaded the distressed pair of pigs onto a trailer before taking them with a police escort to their new home at the rescue centre in Crockenhill Road, Swanley.

The 39-year-old told News Shopper: "We collect animals from all over but two big pigs roaming is a bit different to a cat or a rabbit in a park.

"By law pigs are supposed to be ear tagged but they have not got ear tags. I think they would be pets, to be honest."

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Roaming around: The pigs being rescued on the A225

He suspects Rodney and Liam, who are yet to be claimed, may have been pets which have outgrown their owners.

Kent Police had to close off part of the road to ensure the pigs didn't cause an accident on the busy A road.

A spokesman for the police force said: "Kent Police was called at 5.30pm on July 31 to reports that two pigs were loose on the A225 in Eynsford and were straying into live lanes.

"Officers attended the scene and following unsuccessful attempts to trace the animals’ owners the pigs which were moved into a secure field overnight.

"The following morning the pigs were collected by an animal rescue charity."

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Rodney and Liam having a snooze after their ordeal.

Mr Ranger said Rodney and Liam are settling in well at the rescue centre, which is home to around 500 animals, and hopes to be able to rehome the pair with a specialist breeder.

He added: "They were really thirsty and drank lots of water, apart from that they were in good condition."