A thirsty fox was rescued from a tight spot this morning when he got stuck head-first in a watering can in Sidcup.

RSPCA inspectors discovered the wild animal struggling to get free in a back garden in Priestlands Park Road.

The fox was spotted thrashing around in a “complete panic” with half his body trapped inside the watering can.

Inspector Nick Wheelhouse, who rescued the fox, said he could have been trapped there for as long as 48 hours.

He said: “It seems likely, in this hot weather, that he was trying to get to a bit of water at the bottom of the can to quench his thirst - but misjudged how easy it would be to get out again.

“He was exhausted, hungry and dehydrated, so I took him to The Fox Project in Tunbridge Wells, where he is being cared for and treated for flystrike.

“We think he will make a full recovery so we can release him back to the wild where he belongs soon.”

The animal charity has urged homeowners to check long vegetation, leaves and compost for any hiding animals before gardening.

Inspector Wheelhouse added: “It just goes to show how important it is for gardeners to tread carefully and think about the dangers everyday objects like this might pose for wildlife.

“We often get calls at this time of year about wild animals with distressing and often fatal gardening related injuries.

“Cases in past years include a toad with its hind legs chopped off by a strimmer, a hedgehog burnt in pampas grass clearance and a blackbird speared by a garden fork.”