Three fishermen whose dinghy broke down nine miles off Herne Bay were rescued by Whitstable lifeboat after a night adrift.

They had set off in the 16ft boat from Herne Bay at 10pm on Wednesday and called for help after their engine suffered problems with its fuel filter.

The Whitstable lifeboat was launched at 7.23am Thursday and found the dinghy midway between the Shivering Sands and Red Sands Towers.

Helmsman John Croft said: "When we found them they had managed to restart their engine.

"However as they had lost half of their fuel we transferred them to the lifeboat and took the craft under tow for Herne Bay."

Mr Croft added: "They have had a lucky escape as they were drifting in the shipping lanes all night and it was fortunate that there were calm weather conditions.

"Despite all three suffering from sea sickness they have been returned to shore unharmed."

The three men, from Essex, and their dinghy were landed at Neptune Harbour, Herne Bay.