A seven-year-old boy from Downpatrick has received a bravery certificate from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service for his actions during a farm fire on 9 February.

The blaze broke out in a barn on the family's Annadorn Road farm, which housed sows with newborn piglets, geese and peacocks. Jacob Mooney spotted the fire early and ran to a high point to call 999 due to poor mobile signal. He updated the control room as the situation developed.

Jacob then ran down the lane to the country road to guide arriving firefighters to the site. His mother Carrie-Anne Mooney and brother Tobias, 10, assisted with the animals. No livestock or pets were lost, and the fire was extinguished quickly.

Station Commander Philip Mageean presented the certificate to Jacob at Downpatrick Fire Station last week. Mageean noted that Jacob called 999 without hesitation, explained the incident clearly and stayed calm under pressure.

Tobias soaked tea towels in water for his mother to cover her mouth and nose before she entered the burning barn. Carrie-Anne Mooney said her sons acted quickly and instinctively to organise the emergency response and help the animals.

The family plans to show some of the rescued pigs at this year's Balmoral Show. Jacob attends Ballynahinch Primary School.