A troop of fox cubs gave coastguards the run around after a two-hour search.

Medway coastguards started searching the Strand area of Gillingham at about 3am this morning (Tuesday) when someone reported hearing cries or screams and became concerned.

But after searching the coast up to Riverside Country Park, the four coastguards found three fox cubs and, about an hour later, a female fox hunting for food.

Fox cub cries are known to sound similar to a baby crying.

Medway coastguard deputy station officer Richard Rodgers said: "The call was made in good faith and we found what we were meant to find so we weren't annoyed.

"We would always advise people to call us if they are concerned about something or hear something in or around the coast, whether we find fox cubs or not.

"Dial 999 and ask for the coastguard."