A LITTLE girl has personally thanked supermarket staff for keeping cool when she suffered a "terrifying" allergic reaction to an ice lolly.

Sophia Iandoli, who is only three, sent her mum into a panic when her lips and hands swelled up "like a balloon", after licking the lolly during a shopping trip to Asda, Charlton.

Mum, Sally Cudmore, of Court Farm Road, Mottingham, said nothing like this had ever happened before and she feared for the safety of her only daughter.

She added: "The staff were brilliant. This sort of thing can be very dangerous, especially if the airways get blocked.

"They kept her entertained and happy until the ambulance arrived and we wanted to say a big thank you to them.

"I was with my sister, who is eight months pregnant, and one of the workers even helped her with her shopping and took her home."

First-aiders in the Bugsby's Way supermarket say they are prepared for anything but were surprised when Sophia, who attends Busy Bees nursery, in Chislehurst, came back with a big box of chocolates for them.

Health and safety co-ordinator Margaret Relph said: "We were happy to help. Safety of our customers is very important."

An appointment will be arranged for Sophia to see a specialist to establish what caused the reaction.

December 4, 2001 12:42