A massive search operation was launched when a vulnerable man went missing near Cliffe last night.

Police officers, Medway Coastguard and the Gravesend lifeboat crew spent more than two hours looking for the 54-year-old on Tuesday.

He was found disorientated and suffering from hypothermia at a diving lake in the early hours of this morning.

The search was carried out around near the RSPB nature reserve at Cliffe Pools.

Police officers combed the area, while a team of seven from the Coastguard searched the water's edge and an old fort, with the help of the lifeboat crew.

The police helicopter also assisted with the search from the air. The RAF search and rescue Sea King helicopter was also launched, but later stood down when the man was found.

Richard Rodgers, deputy station officer for Medway Coastguard, said: "The police called us at about 11.20pm after they had already been searching for a couple of hours for the man.

"We assisted with searching along the water's edge and all around the fort area where the police couldn't access."

The man was found at a nearby diving lake at about 1.45am. He was disorientated and suffering from hypothermia. He was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital by land ambulance.