A teenager had to be rescued by lifeboat crews after suffering an allergic reaction to an energy bar.

The 15-year-old girl was aboard a training vessel, Morning Star, moored at Stangate Creek in the Rover Medway when she was taken ill. The energy bar contained nuts, which she was allergic to.

Sheerness inshore lifeboat was launched just before 4pm to remove the youngster and her mother, and taken to the all-tide landing in Queenborough.

A coastguard helicopter, which had been on a training exercise, was diverted to follow the boat to the Island.

An air paramedic was winched to shore to treat the girl.

She was also seen by waiting SECamb medics before being transferred to Medway Maritime Hospital.

A witness said the girl had fully recovered by the time she was transferred to the ambulance.

Sheppey Coastguard rescue officer, Ian Goodwin, said: “It was fortunate the rescue helicopter was in the vicinity as she suffered an allergic reaction.

“She was given appropriate medication to alleviate her symptoms and she recovered.”