In last week’s Times Guardian we asked for your memories of the heavy snow which badly affected Sheppey in 1987.

Derek Collins, 68, of Lynmouth Drive, Minster, told us of a dramatic life-saving event.

He was skipper of the Medway Rhino, which was used to take 30 tons of vitally-needed medicines from the Abbotts chemical factory in Queenborough to the mainland.

Mr Collins, who was skipper of the Medway Ports owned salvage vessel for 38 years, said: “The A249 was blocked by the snow.

“Abbotts had to use 4X4s to take the stuff to Sheerness Docks where they were loaded on to my boat and then taken to Strood Pier. It was an an amazing one-off trip which I shall never forget. I remember that the harbourmaster at Sheerness Docks at the time was Captain Geoffrey Baskerville.”