A woman has been flown to hospital after being stuck in the mud in Herne Bay.

Coastguards, an ambulance, police officers and fire crews were all called to the scene at Herne Bay pier at around 12.30pm.

The lady had been walking with her husband and their dogs near the pier when they both got stuck in the mud.

Coastguard rescue teams from Herne Bay and Sheppey attended the scene, as well as Whitstable RNLI lifeboat.

The rescue team managed to free the woman from the mud and a rescue helicopter was sent to take her to QEQM Hospital in Margate.

Matt Stickells, coastguard said: “Two tourists went for a walk across the mud and didn’t realise how sticky it is. The wife got stuck but the husband was able to make it back to shore.

“The rescue was a joint effort from the coast guard and rescue, using both sets of equipment.

“The reason for the helicopter was precautionary because the tide had come in and gone over the lady’s legs. They needed to check her out and it is the quickest way for her to get to hospital.

“There are signs that say ‘soft mud’ and I think this just proves that it is soft mud.”

Mr Stickells added that the mud at Herne Bay is particularly sticky and ‘there is no mud like it anywhere in the country.’

Lisa Stone, from Herne Bay, watched the rescue take place from the pier. She said: “We were just on the pier when we saw her. She was standing, stuck in the mud.

"It looked like she had gone after her dog, but her dog just trotted back on back to shore.”

This incident comes under 24 hours since two men plunged off the side of Herne Bay pier. The two men were rushed to hospital at around 5.30pm yesterday.

Thames Coastguard Watch Manger, Aimee Rampton said: “If you become stuck in the mud try and spread your weight as much as possible. Avoid moving and stay as calm as possible. Discourage others from rescuing you, since without the proper equipment they could become stuck too.”