A MAJOR search and rescue operation is taking place in the English Channel, as coastguard teams attempt to find two men described as having "learning difficulties".

It is understood the men hired a small boat with an outboard motor from Sandwich earlier today, and expressed a wish to sail to France.

They are believed to have very little navigational experience and be carrying only 50 litres of fuel.

Two coastguard teams from Thanet are searching the coastline between Sandwich and Deal, while a spotter plane and a rescue helicopter are conducting aerial searches.

The helicopter is equipped with infrared cameras, allowing the search to continue into the night if required.

Coastguard Peter Overton said: "These two men probably aren't fully aware of the circumstances that they've got themselves into, and therefore would not be aware of the shipping dangers in the Channel.

"We don't think they have very much equipment on board, so it would be very easy for them to become disorientated once they have lost sight of land."

The coastguard rescue teams involved in the operation are not affected by today's strike by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, because they belong to a different trade union.