Five people were rescued after they were found drifting a mile out to sea on inflatables.

The discovery came after independent lifeguard and lifeboat organisation, Folkestone Rescue, were tasked with searching for an inflatable kayak thought to be drifting off the coast of Sandgate, near Folkestone.

But while searching for the kayak they found five people on two inflatable mattresses a mile off the shoreline.

They had no paddles and no way of getting back to the beach.

They were brought on board Folkestone Rescue's inshore RIB and returned safely to the beach.

The crew then continued to search the water for the kayak, but nothing was found.

A spokesman said: "Thankfully no other inflatables were found drifting during our search and we were stood down by UK Coastguard."

The rescue took place on Sunday at 5.30pm.

The coastguard has been approached for a comment.

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