A PLUCKY pheasant has survived a horrifying ordeal.

RSPCA officers in York rescued the dazed bird after it was hit by a car and got wedged in the front bumper grill.

It then survived a 25-mile journey and was only discovered after the car's owner arrived back in Tang Hall.

It has now been safely released back into the wild.

RSPCA animal collection officer, Helen Martindale, said: "The motorist discovered the bird when he returned home from a short drive.

"He thinks he hit the bird whilst on the motorway but was unable to stop at the time.

"I went along and was able to carefully remove the bird from the front bumper of the car and, amazingly, she didn’t seem to be injured."

The man had driven from Brimham Rocks, near Harrogate, to his home in the Tang Hall area of York.

Officer Martindale kept the bird overnight to monitor its condition before releasing it into nearby fields.

She said: "She was a little shocked at first but wasn’t displaying any signs of injury so I kept a close eye on her overnight and she appeared to be absolutely fine.

"It's amazing that she was okay considering her journey and the damage that had been caused to the car."

To contact the RSPCA for advice on injured or trapped wildlife or request help call the 24-hour emergency hotline on 0300 1234 999.