A search for a plane which had reportedly ditched in to the sea off Kent this morning has been stood down.

Coastguard teams were called just after 7am following a call from a member of the public.

It was reported a light-coloured aircraft was seen in the water between Littlestone and Dungeness.

But radar replays carried out by emergency air authorities found no trace of aerial activity from 6.30am in the area.

Nearby vessels in the Channel were also contacted via emergency frequencies and no sightings were reported.

The Dungeness Coastguard rescue team was launched to search the area which was covered with foggy patches and visibility down to around 500 metres in places.

Ships foghorns were sounding out in the Channel due to the poor weather.

But after parking at The Pilot Inn in Battery Road the team were not able to see any sign of wreckage in the water.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "He made a genuine call and did the right thing. That's what we're here for and it's being dealt as a false alarm with genuine intent.

"Until we get more information the Dungeness team has been stood down."

A spokesman for Lydd Airport confirmed the runway and tower at the airport does not open until 8.30am and there was no sign of any activity around the aerodrome.

Dungeness RNLI were not tasked to the call.