A hamster has been rescued from the M6 after he was seen running along the motorway inside a plastic exercise ball.

Motorists alerted the RSPCA after spotting the rodent speeding along the hard shoulder.

RSPCA workers picked up the exhausted hamster at Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham.

Louise Anthony, the general manager of the RSPCA in Birmingham said: "He's just a cheeky little white hamster.

Roly's ordeal

"He didn't seem to suffer any ill effects from his experience.

"Although I hope he hadn't been out there too long.

"We suspect he was either thrown out of a car or has fallen out of a car by accident."

The hamster who was named "Roly" by workers at the animal charity is recovering from his ordeal.

He has now found a new home away from the motorway in Birmingham.