Three windsurfers were taken to hospital after being injured in a competition offHerneBay.

The casulties, who suffered cut fingers and knee injuries, were taken by ambulance to the QEQM Hospital, Margate.

They had been competing in the UK Windsurfing Association Stena Line Cup 2 and North Sea Cup event on Saturday afternoon.

Earlier in the afternoon along the coast at Whitstable, the RNLI lifeboat was launched after reports of a capsized dinghy and man in the water.

The crew arrived at the scene 300 yards off Island Wall to find that a Whitstable Yacht Club safety boat had already recovered the 64-year-old man and was attempting to tow the craft, which was on its side, to shore.

The casualty, who was suffering from the cold, was taken on board the lifeboat and then to the Herne Bay coastguard station. He did not need any medical assistance.

The lifeboat then returned to help bring in the stricken dinghy.