A flock of 24 sheep have been rescued from a flooded field in Chester.

On 6 January at 1.43pm, teams were sent out to Plemstall Lane in response to reports of sheep stuck in a flooded field.

The sheep were found stuck in icy water after they had gone to the highest part of their field as flood water rose.

Three teams of firefighters from Chester, Ellesmere Port, and Powey Lane were called and found two people with the flock, so a tactical rescue operation was set up to rescue the animals.

This involved specialist rescue equipment and lots of herding and handling of the sheep, who were floated to safety in pairs on the inflatable rafts, assisted by firefighters who waded alongside.

Twenty-four sheep of the flock were rescued and brought to safety (Image via: Cheshire Fire & Rescue)

Swift water and animal rescue trained firefighters used three inflatable rafts to rescue the 24 sheep from a flooded field.

Animal rescue supervisor and Lymm crew manager, Ryan Cook, attended the rescue.

He said: "It was an extremely cold and wet operation for us to get all 24 sheep onto the inflatable rescue rafts and across the flooded fields.

"We could see the sheep stood in water and despite their thick fleeces, they were really cold when we reached them.

"Thankfully, they didn't put up too much resistance to being hoisted onto our rafts and across specially made walkways to safety."

Heavy rain and snow has caused flooding across Chester and the UK (Image via: Cheshire Fire & Rescue)

Unfortunately, half a dozen sheep had already lost their lives in the water on the arrival of firefighters.

The crews were thankful they could help the remaining animals and that no one was harmed trying to rescue them.

Ryan added: "I would urge anyone finding animals in water to never attempt to rescue them themselves and to call us out.

"We have the equipment and have been given the training to deal with situations like this.

"Flood water can be extremely dangerous and fast-flowing and there could be obstacles you can't see under the surface.

"Cold water shock can also affect your breathing and movement so please stay well away from any water."