An abandoned baby pine marten has been rescued after being discovered on the side of a road in Perth.

The animal, which is only three to four weeks old, was found orphaned at the start of April and taken into care.

He is being hand-reared at the Scottish SPCA's National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross, Clackmannanshire, where he has been named Marvel.

Marvel has been taking milk from a bottle and it is hoped he will be weaned on to solid food in the next few weeks after his eyes open.

Pine martens belong to the mustelid animal family, which includes weasels, badgers and ferrets.

Scottish SPCA centre manager Colin Seddon said: "Orphaned pine martens are quite often reared as a group but he's the only one in our care at the moment.

"Like other mustelids they need play and interaction to develop natural behaviour.

He added: "Pine martens are very rare and protected by law. They are currently being introduced back into parts of the UK where they were once persecuted to extinction.

"Once Marvel is fully independent and behaving naturally he will be released at a specially chosen release site with the land owner's permission."