An RNLI crewman jumped into the sea today to save a woman from drowning.

The woman, believed to be aged 25, had been in the water for 30 minutes before the alarm was raised.

She was spotted floating in the dark 50 metres off the coast near K's Casino amusement arcade at Neptune jetty, Marine Parade, Sheerness, on the Isle of Sheppey just before 5am.

The Sheerness inshore lifeboat was launched and reached her within five minutes.

RNLI spokesman Vic Booth said: "She was up to her neck and in a distressed state when the crew found her.

"At one stage her head disappeared beneath the waves. Crewman Luke Harris jumped in to pull her out. He grabbed her and helped hoist her into the boat."

The crew then sped back to the beach where the Sheppey Coastgard team was waiting for her.

Mr Booth said: "She was very, very cold and her skin was blue.

"The Coastguards put her in their vehicle to warm her up and give first aid while waiting for an ambulance.

"We believe she had been in the water for 30 minutes.

"The sea is still very cold at this time of the year. She was very lucky.

"She might not have survived if she had been in the water much longer."

He said the Sheerness crew has been on more than 30 call-outs this year to help people in distress.

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