A teenage girl needed urgent medical care after suffering a 45-minute asthma attack at sea.

The 18-year-old was sailing in the Solent on Saturday when she experienced breathing difficulties and chest pains.

A lifeboat was launched from Lymington Harbour at 12.55pm.

Crew arrived at the scene five minutes later and assisted the teenager who had a "dangerously high respiratory rate", before she was handed over to paramedics.

Helmsman Phil Baker said: “After experiencing a severe asthma attack for around 45 minutes, the casualty was in desperate need of medication and oxygen.

“We are relieved to have been there to administer this care and stabilise the patient.

“As RNLI volunteers we are here to answer the call to rescue 24 hours a day, seven days a week in our local communities.”