Police officers rescued a woman drowning in Folkestone harbour in the early hours of this morning.

Dover Lifeboat was called out at about 1.50am to the harbour, where the incident happened.

It is not yet clear which part of the harbour the rescue took place.

A press statement from Dover RNLI said: "As Dover Lifeboat under the command of deputy second coxswain Robert Bendhiaf was leaving the port, our crew were stood down.

"Thankfully the police managed to rescue the person.

"The moral of the story is respect the water, as not everyone can be saved."

It is understood the person was passed onto the ambulance service.

A police spokesman said: "We received a report of concern for welfare of a woman seen in the water near Folkestone harbour at 1.36am on Sunday.

"Officers attended with coastguard and lifeboat teams.

"The woman was located and passed to the care of health services."