The next 48 hours will be "critical" for the three fox cubs rescued from under a burning shed on Saturday afternoon.

Firefighters from Epsom were shocked to hear animal noises after extinguishing a fire in three sheds in Manor Green Road, Epsom, on March 31.

The rescued fox cubs, found under the sheds, were taken in by the Wildlife Aid Foundation in Leatherhead and are still in need of treatment and care.

Becky Banning, spokeswoman for the foundation, said: "Of the three cubs, two of them are stable. They are still coughing due to the smoke inhalation, but are looking alright.

"The third cub is in a nebuliser and is being given a constant and pure stream of extra oxygen, and is on a specific drug regime to enable it to cope with the effects of the smoke inhalation better.

"It is weak. Its lungs have become inflammed due to the smoke inhaled so when it lies down its lungs are squashed even more.

"The cub is therefore having to breath in a standing position to keep its airways as open as they can be.

"For all three cubs, the next 24-48 hours are critical."