A man was taken to hospital after being rescued from the banks of the River Medway earlier this morning.

Firefighters, police and members of the coastguard were called to Esplanade, Strood near to Rochester Bridge at about 4am.

It is not known at this stage how the man got into the water but after a search he was located on the river bank and rescued by fire crews from Strood.

He was then passed to the care of an ambulance crew and taken to hospital.

Police spokesman Andy Saunders said: "Kent Police was called at 4.30am to reports a man had possibly fallen into the River Medway, near the Esplanade.

"The man was safely located by fire crews on a river bank and passed into the care of the South East Coast Ambulance Service."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman, Jo Harfleet said firefighters were called out at 4.04am.

She added: "Fire crews were quickly on the scene supported by KFRS' inshore boat and fire launch.

"Fire crews used thermal imaging cameras and lighting to safely locate the man on a river bank."

The man was safely passed to ambulance crews by 5am.