It started as a strange sight in a field near Stoke-on-Trent, a pony trapped inside a tractor tire after what rescuers believe was a freak accident.

Panicked residents raised the alarm last Friday morning, May 15, after spotting the animal wedged inside a Michelin Agribib wheel lying on its side in a field in Staffordshire.

RSPCA rescuers went to the scene, where locals helped lift the 196-pound tire while officer Nicola Riley worked to free the pony from the 20-inch, 50-centimetre-wide hole.

Riley described the pony as an “understandably very scared and uncomfortable animal”.

She said: “It was a very delicate rescue.

“The pony was filthy, matted and clearly in distress, despite still breathing.

“We had to take a staggered approach to free him safely – first easing out his front feet, then carefully working his shoulder free before finally releasing his neck and front end.

“Thankfully, everyone worked really well together and we managed to get him out without causing any injury.”

The pony was freed bit by bit as the team eased out his front feet, then his shoulder, before finally pulling his neck clear.

After the rescue, the pony was left “a little wobbly” and rested with his back end still in the tire before eventually wriggling free.

Rescuers believe the pony had been playing with the tire when it became wedged inside the inner lining wall and could not escape.

The tire was later moved to stop any other animals getting trapped.

The pony was unhurt and showed no signs of lasting trauma.

Riley said: “He soon returned to grazing and walking around the field again.

“But this could have ended very differently, so I’m really grateful to the local residents who stopped to help.”

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