An RAF helicopter was used last night to search for three teenagers drifting out to sea in an inflatable toy boat.

The trio were spotted in Pegwell Bay, off the coast of Sandwich, at about half 9.30pm.

Lifeboat crews from Margate, Deal, Ramsgate and Walmer were called to look for them.

A rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham was even scrambled as the search intensified.

The youngsters were eventually found in Ramsgate at just after midnight.

They were spotted by a member of the public in Grange Road - carrying the semi-inflated boat.

Spike Hughes, Dover Coastguard rescue coordination centre manager, said: "Inflatable boats and toys are great fun in the swimming pool, but don't use them at the seaside.

"As we can see from this incident, they can easily be blown out to sea. These children were very fortunate to have made it to shore. Others may not be so lucky."