KITTENS and cats are in danger of starvation or being crushed to death unless animal welfare workers are allowed on to the Olympic site.

The Celia Hammond Animal Trust (CHAT) claims its workers have been barred from accessing the site until next year.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is currently demolishing hundreds of buildings on the Olympic park, before a clean-up of the site can begin.

But CHAT is worried that kittens and pregnant cats may be on the site and in danger of being trapped and killed by the heavy machinery and rubble. It has therefore started a petition demanding access to the area, which has been signed by more than 5,500 people.

It said that between August until now, barring nine days in October when access was granted, its workers have not been allowed on to the plot.

And CHAT claims this contravenes an agreement with the ODA that the trust would be allowed access.

A CHAT spokesman said: "If we had been allowed to continue our rescue work instead of being banned on August 5 then all our rescue work would have been completed weeks ago.

"We are appaled at this constant delay which will undoubtedly result in the injury, starvation and death of cats currently on site."

The ODA is not allowing the cat rescuers on because it has concerns about their health and safety.

But a CHAT spokesman said that its workers were all qualified to work on construction sites.

He said: "Our trapping methods do not require us to go into demolition areas, as we encourage cats on to safe feeding sites to be trapped without danger to us or the cats.

"The ODA has said it will notify us if any cats are seen, but so far they have not seen evidence of any more cats.

"However, as the site is so incredibly noisy during the day it is not surprising. The cats are hiding during the day, venturing out under cover of darkness."

A letter from the ODA seen by the Guardian said: "We are committed to contacting the trust should any evidence of kittens, lactating or pregnant cats can be identified in an area programmed for demolition.

"The trust's own literature states that adult cats will move off potential construction sites and that kittens are the major concern. Our plan and agreement with the trust reflects this."

But Celia Hammond herself told the Guardian this week: "It is absolutely not true that the ODA is working closely with us."

* To sign the online petition, visit www.celiahammond.org