This is the moment heroic rescuers removed a plastic ring stuck on a python's body.

The animal rescue team was contacted by a Buddhist temple caretaker after the injured snake had been found slithering inside the compound in Chonburi province, Thailand on February 20.

They found the 9ft-long creature with a blue ring constricting its body crawling on the temple grounds upon arrival. The ring had also gashed the snake from being too tight.

After securing the snake's neck, the rescuers used a pair of scissors to cut the ring out. They gave the python a first aid treatment before releasing it into the wild.

Wat Payup Soi Bonkai temple caretaker Jakkabhand Kumthong, 48, said: 'I was working at the back of the compound when I saw the snake.

'I don't know how it had a ring on its body. It might have slithered through it when it was younger or a cruel person had played a trick on it.

'Either way, we should be careful about the trash we throw around to avoid harming the animals.'

Rescue team member Vicha Chindanil said: 'The snake was starving when we saw it but t was generally fine. It was given first aid and then released.'