The Littlestone RNLI lifeboat was launched last night to look for two people who had gone missing on a dinghy.

The search started on Tuesday at 10pm, helping a rescue helicopter from Lydd in their investigation.

The dinghy had disappeared 12 miles north east of the Dungeness Lifeboat station.

Coxswain Stuart Adams in command of the Shannon class lifeboat and the volunteer crew set up a parallel search for two miles.

A press statement from the RNLI said: "After this extensive search pattern was completed, nothing was found.

"Both lifeboats and the sea rescue helicopter were stood down with Dungeness lifeboat being re-fuelled and ready for service in the early hours of Wednesday morning."

Mr Adams said: "We are going through a busy period and our volunteers are fantastic giving up their time to help the RNLI to continue saving lives at sea."