EMERGENCY services rushed to the aid of a man who suffered an allergic reaction after being stung by a hornet.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) said the casualty was in the New Forest when he was attacked by the insect and taken ill.

HFRS tweeted: "One of our ambulance co-responders has just dealt with a male in Beaulieu who suffered an allergic reaction to a hornet sting."

No further details have been released. It is not known what type of hornet was involved.

An allergic reaction to a hornet sting can cause a raft of symptoms including tightness in the chest and difficulty in breathing.

An even worse reaction, known as anaphylaxis, can occur within minutes may be life-threatening. Symptoms can include loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest.

A victim's life can be saved by giving them a dose of adrenaline using an auto-injector.