Medway councillor Kelly Tolhurst is at home after being rushed to hospital for an emergency operation.

The Conservative fell ill with severe stomach pains at her Borstal home after returning from a party. She called an ambulance and within 24 hours was undergoing surgery at Medway Maritime Hospital to remove part of her bowel.

Cllr Tolhurst, 34, who represents Rochester West ward, said: "I’d offered to drive a friend home but I was doubled up in agony and soon realised this was not going away. Within an hour and a half I was in hospital. It turned out that part of my bowel had become twisted.

Cllr Tolhurst, who helps to run her father’s boatyard in Borstal, said she is now taking it easy for a couple of weeks. She said: "I am young and fit and hope to get back to my council work as soon as possible."