'Princess Leia' gives birth to eight kittens at Battersea on Star Wars Day

The world's smallest Star Wars fans have been welcomed to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in Old Windsor.

On Monday, May 4, celebrated as Star Wars day by fans across the world, a heavily pregnant stray Bengal cat called Princess Leia gave birth to eight kittens.

These were named Yoda, Chewie, Ewok, Jedi, Trooper, Falcon, Galaxy and Rebel in honour of the day.

Princess Leia was found by a member of the public after being dumped in a cat carrier outside Legoland.

Cattery team leader Christine Lloyd Smith said: "Our Star Wars kittens are just the tip of the iceberg – we’re starting to see the full impact of kitten season early this year and we’re already inundated with new arrivals.

"Our Star Wars kittens are very cute, but they’ve already had an intergalactic adventure of their own and it just shows how important it is to get your cat neutered.”

Visitors can make some feline friends of their own at the rescue centre's club Knitting Kittens.

The event will be held on May 28 from 5-8pm and welcomes knitters of all abilities to relax in the cattery with tea and cakes and meet some of its residents.

Bring your own needles and wool.