A major search operation was launched in the early hours after a woman was spotted in the sea.

Emergency services were called to Birchington seafront following concerns for a missing person in the area.

A coastguard helicopter was sent to the scene and used a spotlight in a bid to track down the woman.

Crews, including the RNLI and police, spent more than three hours searching for her on Sunday morning.

The missing woman was eventually found and taken to hospital.

A police spokesman said: “We were called to Birchington seafront on Sunday morning following concerns for a woman in the area.

“Officers attended along with HM Coastguard and the RNLI and the woman was located and passed into the care of healthcare professionals.”

The ambulance service confirmed she was taken to hospital but paramedics did not attend the scene.

A coastguard spokesman added: “Margate RNLI’s B class and D class lifeboats, along with the coastguard rescue helicopter from Lydd Airport and coastguard rescue teams from Margate and Herne Bay were tasked at about 4am on Sunday morning following reports of a missing female.

“A shoreline and close inshore waters search was carried out between Margate harbour and Reculver Towers.

“After around three hours of searching with no results, the rescue units were stood down and returned to the station.”