by Keyan Milanian

A teenager had to be rescued by coastguards after getting stuck in mud at Riverside Country Park, near Gillingham.

Two 17-year-olds, believed to be from Rainham Mark Grammar school, were on the mud near Horrid Hill carrying out investigations for a geography project, when both became stuck at about 10am.

The school is closed today as part of a training day for teachers.

One of the boys managed to escape and called for the emergency services and six coastguards went to the scene.

Richard Rodgers, deputy station officer at Medway Coastguard, helped dig the teenager out of the mud.

He said: "Another coastguard and I went out onto the mud and dug him out by hand, it was just over the top of his knees.

"The tide was coming in but it was four hours until high tide so he was not in any immediate danger but he was sensible, did not struggle and they both did everything right, we could not have asked for any more."

A paramedic checked over the boy but found no injuries or evidence of hypothermia and the coastguards returned to base at about 12.30pm.

Mr Rodgers said: "We would advise people to stay off the mud, although it may look safe it can be very dangerous."