Dramatic footage has emerged on social media this week, showing farmers in the UK battling blazes to bring a flock of sheep to safety following an extensive moor fire in England.

Posted on Facebook by James Needham – who assisted in the rescue operation – the video below shows a farmer and his friends racing across Saddleworth Moor, in the greater Manchester region of England, to try and rescue a flock of sheep before the recent extensive moor fire got to them.

As can be seen in the footage, the farmers – with sheepdogs in tow – cross through billowing smoke and smouldering turf in search of the stranded sheep.

The original video was accompanied with the line: “Being chased by rain clouds whilst gathering a moor is one thing; being chased by fire is something else.”

Needham went on to explain that the group was successful in rounding up the sheep – numbering between 300 and 400.

Commenting to AgriLand, Needham said: “We certainly saved most of them, but there are odd ewes appearing with some burns.”

Meanwhile, the UK Ministry for Defence issued a statement confirming that the army was deployed yesterday to assist in controlling the ravaging flames on Straddleworth Moor.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “I pay tribute to our armed forces’ professionalism, dedication and sense of duty.”

The troops deployed overnight from their barracks in Catterick, the department said.

Operating out of a nearby Army Training Centre, they were instructed to assist the effort to control and reduce the fire – undertaking tasks such as the management of water lines, fire beating and providing general support where required.