A woman in her 70s was found collapsed on the beach at Tankerton on Tuesday morning by a dog walker.

Ambulance staff first on the scene, close to the sailing club off Marine Parade, found signs of life and she was taken to Kent and Canterbury Hospital where her condition remains critical.

The man was walking his dog on the beach at Tankerton at 9.30am when he spotted the woman collapsed at the water’s edge and called the emergency services.

As well as ambulance crews, dozens of police officers arrived at the scene including an incident van.

Police spokesman Jane Walker said: “We have looked into the circumstances and it would appear the woman had been in the water, and that she probably went in of her own accord.

“The call came in at 9.30am and we think she would have left her home at about 8.30am.”

Police have not disclosed the identity of the woman other than to confirm she is in her 70s and lives in Whitstable.