This is the heartwarming moment a kitten was saved after it was found stuck inside a car wheel.

Residents heard soft whimpering meow sounds coming from a passing car in Lampang province, Thailand on December 11.

They alerted the 45-year-old driver about the strange sounds and he allowed them to check the vehicle.

After inspecting the car, they found a small kitten stuck inside the narrow gap of the mag wheels and called the animal rescuers for help.

When the animal rescuers arrived, they reached under the car for the cat but the weary moggie was biting and scratching the volunteers.

The team was able to remove the trapped female cat estimated to be five-months-old after 20 minutes.

The driver thanked the residents and the rescue team who helped him rescue the stray kitten.

He said: ''I had no idea the kitten was inside the wheel, I only knew when someone knocked on my car.

"I am glad the cat was not hurt, it could have died if the people had not informed me about it."

The cat was given food by the kind residents and was taken by one of their neighbours for adoption.