FIRE fighters from Upton-upon-Severn battled for several hours on Sunday afternoon to save a flock of sheep which had been forced into the river Severn.

It is thought the sheep were stampeded into the water after the flock was attacked by an animal, probably a dog. Several bodies were found dead in the field with toothmarks.

The officers were called out at about 1pm by a boater who reported a sheep in the water at Sandy Point, Lower Ham, downriver from the town.

The brigade's boat was scrambled from Upton marina, while more officers travelled by road to the scene.

Sub-officer David Walker said: "When the boat got there, the crew radioed to say it wasn't one sheep but a whole flock."

The fire crew struggled to haul the sheep up the nearly-vertical river bank and back to the safety of dry land.

"They were trapped among the trees which grow down to the water, and they were exhausted. We had to haul them up the bank to the field and it was a very wet and muddy job. The lads in the boat did a magnificent job.

The fire fighters rescued 30 live sheep and recovered four bodies.

"The most worrying thing is what drove them in. Some of them had been savaged by some sort of animal," he said. The dead sheep totalled 13.

Farmer Jeff Leake, from Birtsmorton, RSPCA inspector Julia Sly and two vets were called to the scene.

Mr Leake said: "I have been lucky until now; this is the first time my sheep have been attacked.

"The teeth marks show it was must have been a big dog with big jaws, and it knew to go straight for the throat. The bodies did not have other injuries.

"I want to thank the fire brigade because they were the ones who went in and got wet rescuing my sheep."

Police are investigating the incident and anyone who saw the incident is urged to call them on 01905 723888.

They are also reminding dog owners to keep their animals under control at all times.