A Little Chalfont pair have been banned from keeping animals for five years after appearing in court charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a cat.

Simon and Tracey Gillings, of the same address in Chiltern Heights, both pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a white and tabby long-haired male cat by failing to take it to a vet for inner ear disease.

The crime reportedly happened between October 29 and December 8 last year.

In a Wycombe Magistrates' Court hearing on September 16, they pleaded guilty and in a further hearing on November 3, they were ordered to pay a fine.

Simon, 32, and Tracey, 40, were each fined £100, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £32 and costs of £150.

They are also banned from owning or keeping any animals for five years in an order made under section 34 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

According to the PDSA, ear infections can be very painful for cats and usually develop because something else is causing a problem - like ear mites, skin allergies or a growth.

Signs of an ear infection in cats can include deafness, headshaking, scratching, discharge and swelling. Deeper ear infections can also cause a head tilt, loss of balance and flickering eye movements.

Vet treatment can include ear cleaning, ear drops, anti-inflammatories and pain relief - and antibiotics for more severe infections.