A major search operation was launched late last night after a woman was discovered in the sea.

Emergency services were called to Herne Bay beach shortly after 10pm following concerns over her safety.

Reports of the woman’s circumstances sparked a multi-agency response, which included police, the coastguard, the RNLI and paramedics.

Rescue teams found a woman in the sea, brought to shore and took her to hospital.

A police spokesman said: “We were called at about 10.15pm yesterday due to concern for a woman in the area of Herne Bay seafront.

“Officers attended and carried out a thorough search of the location with assistance from the coastguard and the RNLI.

“The woman was located in the water near Neptune’s Arm and brought to safety before being taken to a local hospital as a precaution.”

A coastguard spokesperson added: “Our rescue teams from Herne Bay and Margate were sent together with the Whitstable RNLI lifeboat, the search and rescue helicopter and the ambulance service.

“The lifeboat brought the casualty to shore and passed them into the care of the ambulance service.”