A KITTEN was rescued by the RSPCA after getting himself trapped in a van's engine in Kidderminster.

The small tabby cat was rescued by RSPCA inspector Suzi Smith, after receiving a call from a driver who had discovered the moggy trapped in the engine of his van.

The kitten has now been named Diesel to celebrate his on-road survival.

Inspector Smith said: "The van driver had attended a car boot sale and upon arrival discovered he could hear what sounded like a kitten coming from the engine.

"Lots of people attempted to locate the kitten but to no avail and then it wasn't heard, so believed it had climbed out.

"He returned home and the following morning went to start his van, and lo and behold, heard the kitten.

"He lifted the bonnet and saw the kitten, but it darted back down into the engine.

"He contacted us and when I arrived I was helped by neighbours who got a small camera to try to locate the kitten.

"He was heard on and off, but we were struggling to find him, so I shimmied further under the vehicle and eventually managed to locate him.

"He was sat on part of the engine framework in front of the fuel tank and I managed to work my hands in and manoeuvre him out."

She added: "It was a wonder he hadn't fallen out while the van had been mobile.

"He was very scared and hungry, but other than that appeared unharmed."

Diesel is around 11-weeks-old, but wasn't microchipped - so the animal welfare charity don't know if he has an owner.

He has now been checked by a vet and is being cared for by the RSPCA Hereford branch. If an owner doesn't come forward, he will then be made available for rehoming.

Anyone with information about Diesel is asked to contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.