RSPCA officials are appealing for information after a man was spotted hurling a cat into a field near Selby.

The man stopped his bright red hatchback in a private lane in Roscarrs, Barlow, before taking the cat from the boot and tossing it through the air into a nearby field.

The black and white neutered tom, nicknamed Albert and described as elderly, was today recovering in a veterinary centre near Selby after being X-rayed for suspected spinal and pelvic injuries.

The incident was witnessed by horrified local resident Arthur Chisholm who lives in Roscarrs.

He said: "The driver was gone by the time I got there, and I found the cat sitting at the edge of the field cleaning himself.

"He was very friendly but very shaky on his hindquarters. I put him in a cat carrier and contacted the RSPCA to collect him.

"He's a very cute and affectionate cat, and we would keep him for ourselves if we didn't have pets already.

"It makes me very angry to think that someone could dump such a lovely animal in this way. The whole neighbourhood is very upset by what has happened."

RSPCA inspector Gill Murphy, who collected Albert, said he had not been well looked after.

She said: "His fur was matted and he appeared to be incontinent when I picked him up.

"His owners probably found they could no longer cope with him and dumped him in a field hoping he would look after himself and no-one would know.

"It is illegal to abandon an animal in this way and the RSPCA will not hesitate to prosecute."

RSPCA spokeswoman Lauren Flanagan said it was a very distressing case, and they were anxious to trace the owner who is described as between 25 and 35.

A spokeswoman at the veterinary centre where Albert is being treated said that despite his ordeal he had eaten some breakfast and seemed "quite bright."

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA on 08705 555999.