Two men testing out their speedboat on the water off Herne Bay had to be rescued by lifeboat crews.

Despite government guidance to refrain from leisure activities, the pair - who had come from outside the area - were trying out the craft's engine before selling it.

Several onlookers in Hampton reported the boat and a team from Whitstable RNLI were forced to rescue the lockdown rule-breakers when their motor failed.

The broken-down vessel was towed ashore and the passengers brought to safety.

They were met by police officers and the coastguard upon their return.

Whitstable lifeboat's operations manager Mike Judge said: "While we are happy to help anybody who gets into difficulty at sea I would reiterate the RNLI advice that the public should not take part in any water based exercise on or in the sea.

"It will reduce the risk to the lifesaving charity’s volunteer crews and other emergency services being exposed to COVID-19, and the pressure on their time.

"It is understood that the occupants of the speedboat had come from out of the area to test the engine before selling the boat."

Police have been asked if the pair were issued with a fine.

Last week, jet skiers in Herne Bay were ordered off the water for flouting lockdown rules.

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay