Fire crews rescue 24 sheep from flooded field

The sheep had become trapped on a field on Plemstall Lane

A specialist rescue team has saved 24 sheep from a severely flooded field.

The animals had been caught in rising icy cold waters off Plemstall Lane in Chester following heavy rainfall.

Trained swift water and animal rescue firefighters from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) used three inflatable rafts and a rescue boat during the rescue operation on Monday.

CFRS said it had successfully relocated all of the 24 sheep they had rescued.

Three inflatable rafts and a rescue boat were used to bring the sheep to safety

Crews from Chester, Ellesmere Port and Powey Lane were involved in the rescue mission

Twelve sheep had already perished by the time the rescues crews arrived.

Animal rescue supervisor and Lymm crew manager Ryan Cook, who attended the scene, said it was an "extremely cold and wet operation".

"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 on to our rafts and across specially made walkways to safety."

The crew was called after two people and the flock had moved to the highest part of the field.

The two people were not injured.

The sheep have been safely relocated

Mr Cook urged anyone finding animals in water to always call the fire and rescue service.

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

"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."