A lifeboat crew from Dover and a helicopter are involved in the rescue (library picture)

Four people have been airlifted to hospital after their boat ran into difficulties in strong winds off the Kent coast.

An RNLI lifeboat from Dungeness was launched at 5.10am to help the crew of the stricken yacht.

Rescuers battled 60mph winds and swells of up to five metres to reach the crew, who had radioed for help while close to St Margaret's Bay.

A second lifeboat from Dover, an RAF helicopter and the coastguard were also involved in the rescue.

The four crewmen airlifted to hospital are being treated at the QEQM hospital, Margate, for severe sea sicknesss.

The yacht, which had been travelling from Southampton to London, was towed back to Ramsgate harbour.