A woman thought to be drunk and suicidal was pulled from the sea in Herne Bay this evening.

The rescue operation was sparked shortly after 5.15pm, with Whitstable RNLI and Herne Bay Coastguard both called into action.

Together with the help of a speedboat they managed to get the woman out of the water and onto the lifeboat.

Police and ambulance crews waited in Neptune's car park for her to be brought ashore.

Herne Bay coastguard Matt Stickels said afterwards: "An intoxicated, suicidal female entered the water and was assisted out by a speedboat, Whitstable lifeboat and Herne Bay Coastguard.

"They recovered her from the water and transferred her to the lifeboat.

"She was left in the safe hands of Kent Police and the ambulance service."