A little fish was found abandoned in its tank this morning (August 7)

As Amanda Evans was walking to the tube station along Southdale Road in Chigwell at 8.20am she spotted a glass fish tank on the verge by the road.

She said: "I thought it odd that it was dumped with water in it.

"On closer inspection, there was a little brown fish swimming about and a pot of fish food left by the side of tank.

"The poor thing was in the full sun."

Ms Evans reported the fish and its location to the RSPCA.

She added: "It sadly looks like an unwanted child's pet. So sad.

"I just hope someone got there in time and managed to take it in out of the heat.

"I have a cat myself or I would have tried to take it home."

When The Guardian attempted to find the fish at around 4pm this afternoon, it was gone.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “The RSPCA received a call yesterday (Wednesday 7 August) from a concerned member of the public who had found a fish tank with three fish in it in the corner of a car park area of South Dale, Chigwell.

“An RSPCA officer attended and collected the three fish and took them to a nearby wildlife hospital where they will be cared for.

“The fish were in a dirty tank which was only a third filled with water.  A tub of fish food was left on top of the tank.

“Anyone who may know who owns the fish, or saw them being left in the area is urged to call the RSPCA inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”