A drunk teenage girl had to be rescued by lifeboat – after she wandered off from a barbecue on the Isle of Wight.

The youngster, thought to be 13 years old, was reported to be in a semi-conscious state among trees near the remains of East Cowes Castle.

Because of the difficult terrain, emergency services decided it was best to evacuate her by boat.

Cowes lifeboat was launched at 11.45pm last night and the girl was carried down the bank, across the beach and onto a lifeboat by stretcher.

A paramedic and police officer accompanied the girl and the lifeboat crew as they travelled to Trinity Landing in Cowes.

A waiting ambulance took the teenager to St Mary’s Hospital in Newport.