Abandoned kitesurfing equipment sparked a major search operation for its owner - who is yet to be found.

A concerned onlooker phoned 999 at about 12.30pm today to report they had seen something in the water about four miles offshore from Lydd-on-Sea.

RNLI lifeboats searched all afternoon to see if the kite’s owner may be in difficulty.

Dover Coastguard later tracked down the owner after issuing an appeal.