A sailor was at the centre of a rescue attempt by lifeboat crews last night as gale force winds struck north Kent.

A lifeboat crew was launched at 7.30pm on Sunday after a sailing boat became stuck in the mud at Gravesend promenade.

The boat is believed to have run onto ground after strong winds caused the sailor to lose control of the boat.

Aboard was an elderly man who is a member of Gravesend sailing club.

The sailor initially refused to be towed by the rescue team. He had to leave his boat temporarily after stopping only a hundred feet short of the sailing club.

A Gravesend RNLI spokesman said the crew helped free the boat from the mud before sending the sailor back towards the club.