Lifesavers using surfboard-like rescue boards attempted to save the animals which were trapped by rising water from the River Exe, near Exeter.

The RSPCA said the animals, of which there were approximately 15, were in "enormous peril".

Only one animal was rescued in the effort on Thursday, but receding flood water has meant the rest are at less risk.

The sheep was attached to a rescue board

Some animals tried to swim through the floodwater themselves, while others went through torrents of water to get to higher ground.

RSPCA officers began monitoring the situation on Thursday morning.

Tony Woodley of the RSPCA said: "You don't need to be an expert to see that these animals are in enormous peril."

Vet Ann Alenius said there were concerns the animals were suffering because of their position.

She said: "They run the risk of being hypoglycaemic, their blood sugar may become very low. So, from those things, you could say they are suffering."

Human emergencies

Usually in such situations, the fire service would be asked for help.

But because they are on strike, emergency service co-ordinators are more concerned with human emergencies than stranded livestock.

The job fell to Exmouth lifeguards to try and bring the animals to dry land.

Rescuers attempted to secure animals to a surfboard-like rescue board.

Andy Phillips of Exmouth Lifeguard Unit said: "We have to make sure that the sheep doesn't become too worried or too distressed."

Remaining sheep

Only one animal was rescued on Thursday. The rescue of other animals was postponed after it started to get dark.

Tony Woodley of the RSPCA said: "If we can prevent one animal from drowning and going down in the weir, then surely that's a good thing.

"But after dark, under health and safety, we can't go into the water."

But with floodwaters receding by Thursday evening, most of the remaining sheep are expected to survive the night before attempts to retrieve them can be restarted on Friday.