A PLUCKY pheasant who survived a 25-mile journey wedged in the front grille of a car is now over her ordeal and happily back roaming the countryside.

A shocked driver discovered the bird alive and well, but firmly wedged in the front of his car after driving along the motorway on Saturday.

He contacted the RSPCA and Animal Collection Officer (ACO) Helen Martindale went along to investigate and help free the bird.

On her arrival at the house in the Tang Hall area of York she discovered that, even though the grill of the car had been damaged, the bird was amazingly unharmed and extricated the bird from the front of the car.

“The motorist discovered the bird when he returned home from a short drive,” ACO Martindale said.

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

“When he returned home and checked his vehicle he found the bird stuck in the car grille but miraculously still alive!

“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 York.

ACO Martindale kept the plucky bird overnight to monitor her condition.

“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," she said.

“After enjoying some time pecking around my garden I released her to some fields nearby and she ran off into the undergrowth.

“It’s amazing that she was okay especially considering her 25-mile journey in the grille and the damage that had been caused to the car.”

The RSPCA would advise members of the public with concerns for injured or trapped wildlife to contact the charity by calling the 24-hour emergency hotline on 0300 1234 999 for advice or to request help.

To help the RSPCA continue its vital work helping animals in need please donate by visiting; rspca.org.uk/give.