Two teenage sisters were saved by their mobile phone... after becoming stranded in a rising tide lapping at their knees off Warden Bay.

The girls, aged 13 and 15, made the desperate cry for help to Coastguard at around 2.15pm yesterday.

They told rescuers they were on a rocky breakwater on Sheppey, and the tide had risen up to their knees.

A major operation was launched, with Sheerness inshore lifeboat, Sheppey Coastguard, firefighters, police and ambulance all scrambled.

Lifeboat crews rescued the girls and handed them over to the waiting emergency services.