A search operation was launched after a child was reported missing at the beach.

RNLI and coastguard crews were called after the youngster was last seen by the water's edge in Dymchurch yesterday.

The lifeboat Jean McIvor was launched around 1.20pm from Littlestone RNLI while a neighbouring Dungeness RNLI lifeboat was also tasked to the incident.

A Coastguard helicopter from Lydd and the Romney Marsh Coastguard Unit at Littlestone was also sent out to find the child.

When the crew of Jean McIvor arrived at the scene crew member Ron Thrall swam a short distance to the shore.

He approached a member of the public who had signalled towards the lifeboat.

Luckily, they alerted him the missing child had been found.

They had been passed into the care of police who looked after them until their parents arrived.

This incident took place during the team at RNLI Littlestone’s charity car wash.

Volunteers had gathered for a 10am start and were supposed to be cleaning vehicles until 2pm before the fundraising event was interrupted.

During the day there was an almost constant stream of vehicles, from the smallest to a very large recreational vehicle.

The Romney Marsh Coastguard also brought down their four-by-four vehicle for a wash.

The last wash of the day was of the lifeboat and tractor unit.