Two men were rescued from the River Medway last night after they fell out of a rubber dinghy.

The volunteer crew of the Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat were called at 8.55pm last night after reports the men had got into trouble near Medway Yacht Club, Upnor.

The men, aged 35 and 45, had fallen in the water whilst trying to row their dinghy back to shore.

RNLI spokesman Vic Booth said: “The two somehow managed to grab hold of a life raft from one of the Royal Engineers boats moored close by.

“Once in the water the life raft inflated and the two men managed to climb on board taking their own dinghy with them.”

The men then let off flares. The lifeboat crew took the men back to shore where the crew of the Medway Coastguard unit were waiting for them.

The life raft was also given to the coastguard crew.

Mr Booth added: “Having been in the water for some time both men were reported as being very cold after their ordeal.

“No further details were given as to why the men were out on the water or for what reason.”

The lifeboat returned to the station at 10.25pm.