An RAF Hercules from Lyneham transported two rare rams from the Isle of Man to Jersey for a specialist breeding programme.

The Manx multi-horned rams were sent to Jersey on Saturday to assist with a breeding programme aimed at restoring the coast land.

In January, 20 ewes were imported to the island and gave birth to 26 lambs in May.

The rams, who joined them to ensure the flock is sustainable, were put in crates and loaded on to the Hercules from RAF Lyneham.

The flight was used by the RAF as a training exercise and paid for by the National Trust for Jersey.

The scheme is intended to bring Jersey's coastal heath land back into a good environmental condition.

The multi-horned breed were indigenous to the island but died out in the 1750s.

The sheep are ideally suited to living on the vegetation found in the area and are already thriving on the steep slopes.

The flock is free to roam around 30 hectares of land - an area that would be impossible for National Trust staff to manage with machines.

Jon Horn, land manager for the National Trust for Jersey, said: "The sheep have become a talking point amongst islanders and a hit with the tourists.

"We decided that we would like to get them from the Isle of Man since that's the original home for this breed.

"There will be an improvement in the quality of the habitats, the area will once again be used for agriculture, producing local lamb for Jersey, and there is a reconnection with Jersey's past."

The National Trust approached the two islands' Prime Ministers who put the group in touch with Manx National Heritage to arrange the breeding programme.

Group Captain Mike Neville, station commander at RAF Lyneham, said: "I am delighted that we have been able to support this excellent initiative.

"The Hercules frequently flies in this area as Jersey provides our crews with a great training platform and when we were asked whether we could assist with the move, I was only too pleased to say yes."