‘SpongeBob’ rescue: A 12-year-old Long Island, N.Y., girl is crediting “SpongeBob SquarePants” for teaching her how to help her choking friend.

Miriam Starobin and her best friend, Allyson Golden, were in music class Tuesday when Allyson began choking on her gum. Allyson turned red and started kicking her legs.

Miriam — with thoughts of SpongeBob and the gang — flew into action and performed the Heimlich maneuver, and the gum popped out.

In one episode of the Nickelodeon animated series, SpongeBob retrieves a clarinet lodged in Squidward’s throat. In another, Patrick revives Squidward after he swallows a fork.

Thong ban: A North Carolina town that the mayor called “Mayberry with a beach” has banned swimmers from wearing thongs.

Kure Beach Mayor Dean Lambeth said “we’re going to keep this as close to Mayberry with a beach as you can keep it,” referring to the idyllic Southern community portrayed on the 1960s TV series “The Andy Griffith Show.”

The Star-News of Wilmington reports that the town council voted Thursday to add a ban against the revealing swimwear to its existing ordinance against nudity.

Prince Philip injured: Queen Elizabeth II’s husband Prince Philip suffered a minor ankle injury in a carriage driving accident on their Windsor estate Friday, Buckingham Palace said.

The palace said Philip did not need hospital treatment after his carriage hit a tree stump Friday morning and that he was “out and about as normal” in the afternoon.

The 88-year-old is an avid sportsman and took up carriage driving after retiring from polo in 1971. He said he thought it would be “a nice weekend activity” and has stuck with it since.

“It is amazing that he’s still doing it, and good for him,” said Ingrid Seward, the editor of Majesty magazine.

Philip — also known for his skill at golf, sailing, and cricket — has had a series of sports-related injuries over the years.