This is the heartwarming moment a mother dog and her three puppies that were stranded in floods were rescued by brave firemen.

Concerned locals noticed the Labrador and her brood stuck on the small grass verge after heavy rain caused the river to swell and surround them in Larnaca, Cyprus, on January 8.

Unable to swim through the raging torrent, they faced being trapped on the small patch of land amidst rising water levels and without any food.

But footage shows how three rescue workers in waterproof gear and wearing helmets waded through the rapids to reach the pooches.

The firemen plucked them to safety and carried them back across the water. Onlooker Minas Athanasiou praised the men. He said they were struggling with the power of the water.

Minas added: ''The dogs were deserted in the river but the firemen were strong and saved them.''

The crew from the Cyprus Fire Service are understood to have taken the dogs into care while trying to trace the owner.