A CAT'S skull has had to be stapled together after it was smashed over the head with a blunt instrument.

Butcher Bernie Longhurst, of Marlow Bottom, was horrified to discover his three-year-old Siamese cat covered in blood when he woke up on Sunday morning.

After rushing the blue eyed pedigree to a vets in Maidenhead he was told the cat had suffered a fractured skull.

He said: "He almost lost his eye and he could have easily been killed. If he was I don't think we would ever have found him.

"I would like to be put in a room with the person that did this."

Vet Rachel Kyle, of Summerleaze Veterinary Group, said she was convinced the injuries were caused by someone using a blunt instrument.

She explained: "Bod had been hit really hard between the eyes and over the head with some type of blunt instrument, possibly piping. With road accidents you see things like scuffed nails.

"He received a terrific blow to the head which has fractured the skull, he was a fraction away from losing his vision. I really can't think of any other explanation for those injuries."

Mr Longhurst, who has a two-year-old son, added: "I have not heard of anything like this before in Marlow Bottom. I wouldn't like to think it was anyone in the Valley but we just haven't got a clue."

The incident happened over night on June 2 around the area of Andrews Way.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "We are always anxious to hear from people who have witnessed cruelty to animals."

The RSPCA 24-hour National Cruelty and Advice Line is 0870 5555999