A sheep that was rescued after being found on top of a mountain with a huge overgrown fleece weighing more than six stone (40kg) has undergone an incredible transformation.

Alex was found atop Mount Alexander in Victoria, Australia, last month by a bushwalker, and was in a bad state of health and unable to stand.

The poorly sheep had grown a huge fleece weighing 6st 2lbs and was in a “critical” state by the time he was rescued by Edgar’s Mission, a local animal charity.

His hefty fleece was “urine-soaked, stick and twig-matted and insect-encrusted”, and the team set about removing it.

The huge weight was almost record-breaking, with the current Guinness World Record for heaviest fleece weighing 41.1kg.

Alex, who is estimated to be seven years old, was welcomed into the fold at the sanctuary by fellow sheep Chloe and Molly Brown, and his health has improved hugely – with the sheep now thriving.

His impressive transformation was shared on TikTok in a clip which garnered 99 million views and racked up 7.4 million likes.

One person said: “I bet this is such an amazing feeling!”

“To the salon,” another user joked.

Someone else commented: “His face at the end with the coat makes it all worth it.”

“I cannot even imagine the relief he must have felt, what a dashing lad he is,” said another user.

Another fan added: “Amazing!! Looks 30 years younger and ready to start a new life. Well done to everyone involved.”

Edgar’s Mission founder and director, Pam Ahern, said: “I’m not sure how long the poor fellow had been lying there but I do know that, judging by the length of his fleece, he had not been shorn in many a year, and had he not been found when he was, he would have passed from this world.

“I am not sure who was more relieved when the job was done. However, there was a collective sigh from one and all!”