A rescue operation was triggered after personal belongings, including clothes, were found on fire at a beach in the early hours of this morning.

The incident happened on Greatstone beach just after 4am and Littlestone Lifeboat was launched to conduct a search of the shoreline. Visibility was described as poor.

A search of the dunes was also carried out.

Kent Fire and Rescue were called to put out the fire on the beach.

All services were stood down after nothing was found as a result of the searches.