People have been warned against exploring a derelict pier head after two teenagers who swam out to the ruin struggled to make it back.

The rundown structure has sat abandoned half-a-mile off Herne Bay beach since storm damage in 1978 led to the dismantling of the landmark two years later.

Yesterday evening, lifeboat crews were called to reports two boys had not returned to the shore after swimming out to the crumbling eyesore.

The pair were found 50 metres off the Neptune Jetty and escorted back to dry land.

Lifeboat helm Ruth Oliver said: “They were making their way through the shallow water and were met by the Herne Bay Coastguard Rescue Team at the low water mark.

“We would strongly advise against attempting to swim or walk out to the old pier head which is over half-a-mile offshore.

“Very often the pier head looks closer than it really is and attempting to reach it is extremely dangerous given the currents and soft mud.”

Locals have recently expressed concerns about the state of the derelict pier head.

However Canterbury City Council, which is responsible for the landmark, insists it is in a “reasonable condition with a level of corrosion and deterioration you would expect for a maritime structure of its age with no routine maintenance”.

There are currently no plans to demolish the structure, and despite calls to reconnect it to the mainland, the authority says it does not have the money.

When standing, Herne Bay Pier was the second-longest in the UK at 3,787 feet.