Firefighters have spoken of the moment they saved the life of a toddler - who nearly choked on a piece of food at a carnival.

Whitstable Carnival procession was brought to a halt on Saturday when Rebecca Norton, who was on holiday in the area with her family from Epping, was found desperately trying to resuscitate her 18-month-old daughter Ruby.

The youngster had stopped breathing after choking on a pizza crust.

Firefighters from Whitstable, who were off-duty, rushed to her aid with crew manager Graeme Brown taking over resuscitation and, after what seem an agonisingly long time, managing to revive her.

Mr Brown said: “I am just so pleased we were there to assist. I think my life-support training just kicked in automatically and it was a huge relief that I was able to revive the little girl.”

An off-duty paramedic from London who had seen the commotion joined the firefighters and reassured everyone Ruby was recovering before other paramedics arrived.

Despite her ordeal, the toddler recovered quickly and was out enjoying the regatta the following day with her mother, grandmother Linda and cousin Harrison.

Mr Brown said:“We were delighted when the family came to find us on Sunday at the regatta on Tankerton Slopes to thank us.

“It was so wonderful to see Ruby looking fit and well, and surprisingly unscathed by her ordeal.”

Carol Simmons, of the carnival committee, said the procession had been going well until the drama unfolded.

“The child had stopped breathing – thankfully the fire crew from Whitstable were there to help,” she said.

“They saved her life.

“The first responders were in the procession as I think they’re trying to recruit at the moment and they also went to help.

“It put a bit of a downer (on the carnival), a lot of people in the town left but unfortunately there’s nothing you can do in that situation.

“People didn’t really know what was going on so they left.

“It was just lucky there were people there who were able to help the child.”