An abandoned boat spotted off the coast in Margate sparked a major search operation.

RNLI lifeboats, along with the Coastguard helicopter and shoreside search teams, launched at about 4pm yesterday when a report of an empty dinghy in the surfline at Botany Bay was received.

Crews feared that people have been in the boat before it capsized.

Strong northerly made conditions close to the operational limits for the inshore lifeboat, and so the RNLI all-weather lifeboat was also tasked to provide support and assist in the search in quickly fading light.

Both lifeboats and the helicopter carried out a detailed search of the area, meanwhile coastguards on the beach located the boat which had subsequently capsized in the surf and it was established that it had been in the sea for some time and appeared to have been unoccupied.

The search was terminated and all rescue units returned to station.

Ian Lowe, deputy launching authority at Margate Lifeboat said: “There was a real fear that people may have been in the boat when it capsized and washed ashore.

"The weather conditions were unpleasant for the volunteer crew and the all-weather lifeboat was tasked to provide back-up."

A spokesman for Margate Coastguard added: "HM Coastguard Margate were requested by UK Coastguard to go back to inspect the cliff fall that happened yesterday.

"The officers walked along the beach area to assess the safety of the cliffs and comments passed back to Dover to inform the local council.

"On the way back to the station we further investigated the vessel that had washed ashore yesterday that is now tucked up in a cove. "