A search to find the driver of a car which ended up in a creek has begun.

A Ford Focus was found nearly submerged in a creek near The Street in Oare and officers are now trying to find the driver.

It failed to stop for a police patrol in Nixon Avenue in Ramsgate at 10.45pm last night and officers eventually lost sight of it.

At 3.33am the car was seen again on The Street in Faversham but was lost once more.

A member of the public then called Kent Police to the creek, near Youngboats boat yard, where they found the car.

The fire service attended with officers and there was no one in the car on their arrival.

Medway and Sheppey coastguard and their supervisor were called at around 5.30am to assist in looking for the driver, who was not found.

PC Richard Smith said: "Despite extensive enquiries including the assistance of Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the Coastguard we have been unable to locate the driver of the vehicle.

"We are keen to locate them in order to ensure they are safe and well and to assist officers with their enquiries."

The black car was dragged up the bank by a recovery truck winch but had to be pulled out by a crane from the boat yard right next door to the creek.

Terry Young, owner of the Youngboats yard, said: "I turned up this morning and the place was swarming with police.

"From what I understand it happened at about 3am and it came down the Western Link.

"We helped the police. We used our crane to get it out. It's happened three or four times now."

The car was removed at around 9am.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kent Police on 01622 798538 quoting reference 08-0131.