Dead cats stuffed in bin-liners were reportedly discovered by the River Wandle last night.

A woman told a dog walker this afternoon that she found eight dead cats in black bin-liners on the edge of North Road in Colliers Wood.

The suspected cat killings were reported to the RSPCA this morning.

But by the time their inspectors arrived, Merton Council had removed the bin-liners.

The story has been dubbed “The Colliers Wood Cat Urban Legend” after dozens of people commented on a Facebook post about the cats - but no dead cats were found.

A woman wrote in a Facebook community group that her daughter saw three people rummaging through the bags on the edge of North Road in Colliers Wood at about 10pm and was told they contained dead cats.

The alleged discovery could explain a pungent smell which has been emanating from the banks of the Wandle for the past few weeks.

Beverly Walker, who was walking her dog along the road bridge this afternoon, said a woman had called the police because of the lingering smell, which the woman believed could mean “there was something else dead down there”.

Police were reportedly seen rummaging in the bushes this afternoon, but have since left the area.

A council spokeswoman said: “There’s no RSPCA involvement because it was fish and meat.

"We wouldn’t be able to say where they came from.”

Did you discover the black bags?

Call Louisa on 020 8722 6335 or email louisa.clarence@london.newsquest.co.uk.