Coastguards searched for two hours in the darkness after reports that a person was stuck "waist-deep" in the mud in Herne Bay.

They were called at 1.30am this morning and carried out their search alongside the police and a lifeboat crew from Whitstable.

Coastguard deputy station manager Matt Stickels said: "We were called to reports of a person waist deep in the sea at Hampton.

"The first informant only gave vague information, so once we arrived on the scene we carried out a search with Kent Police in the immediate vicinity.

"Whitstable lifeboat helped with the search and illuminated the area with white flares. An area between Herne Bay pier and Long Rock was also searched.

"With nothing found the search was stopped at 3.10am, and we returned to the coastguard station."

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