A number of piglets in England had their bacon saved from a barn fire.

But months later, they were turned into organic sausages and given to the firefighters who saved them.

Farmer Rachel Rivers promised the firefighters some sausages made from the 18 rescued piglets as a token of thanks after her barn went up in flames in February.

Rivers, who farms near the village of Pewsey, came through as promised, despite criticisms from animal rights activists and vegetarians.

"This was just a token gesture to the fire service," Rivers told The Guardian. "They were over the moon with them.”

The fire service saved these pigs bacon in February, now they've had them as sausages! pic.twitter.com/UyZmAYvMiz — BBC Wiltshire (@BBCWiltshire) August 23, 2017

"This is just what we do — we are not an animal sanctuary. We give the pigs the best opportunity and the best life they could have for six months.”

"They won't be kept inside; they are outdoors and fed with organic food which is grown on the farm."

The Pewsey Fire Station posted the story on Facebook and thanked Rivers for dropping off the sausages.

"Huge thank you to Rachel Rivers for dropping them off for us to sample. Highly recommended by Pewsey fire station crew and if any one of our followers is having a bank holiday BBQ this weekend then check out these sausages, they are fantastic."

The fire station later removed the post and apologized after receiving some irate responses from the community.

Animals rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said it would send the firefighters vegan sausages "so they can see how easy it is to truly be heroes for pigs — by sparing them all suffering."