A sailor had to be towed to safety after his 12-foot dinghy was damaged en route from Gravesend to Chatham.

The Sheerness RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched at 1.30pm on Friday to rescue the lone yachtsman reported to be in difficulty off the Isle of Grain.

The vessel had suffered damage to its mast and sail and could not make progress against the force 4 wind.

RNLI spokesman Vic Booth said: "The three crew on board the lifeboat were soon on the scene and found the casualty near Garrison Point, a short distance from the lifeboat station in Sheerness Docks.

"A line was quickly secured and the dinghy was towed to the safety of the all-tide landing at Queenborough."

The dinghy was made safe at 2.20pm.