THE Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is appealing for help after a pony was found wandering perilously close to the M5 motorway.

The skewbald was first sighted near Strensham village on Monday evening and was rescued on Tuesday morning after motorway workers discovered it at their maintenance depot.

"The arrival of the pony is a complete mystery to us," said RSPCA spokeswoman Jo Cunningham.

"It's just such a relief it didn't get on to the motorway. I dread to think what the consequences would have been."

The RSPCA says that the pony is in excellent condition, is accustomed to being handled and may have simply strayed from fields near the village, but concern is growing now that all inquiries to trace its owner have drawn a blank.

"Nobody in Strensham has seen the pony before and nothing has been reported. Obviously we want to reunite the pony with its owners, but we have to keep an open mind. It may have been abandoned, in which case we will be looking for new owners,'' said Ms Cunningham

"Apparently the pony is a real sweetie, and should be easy to re-home. It is just very sad to think of somebody out there not even realising it is missing, for whatever reason, but we will continue to hold out hope."

Anyone with information can contact the RSPCA's national number on 08705 555 999.