Both Margate and Ramsgate's inshore lifeboats were called out yesterday afternoon after it was reported a small yacht was in difficulties.

A man had entered the water, attempting to return his vessel to deeper water but had got into trouble at the base of the cliffs in Stone Bay, Broadstairs.

The lifeboat crew found the man, who was cold and confused, and took him on board the Margate inshore lifeboat and put him in a casualty bag.

The yacht was towed into deeper water and handed over to Ramsgate inshore lifeboat, who also took the man onboard.

The lone sailor was handed into the care of the local ambulance service and the vessel was towed in Ramsgate harbour.

Just hours later, the second call out of the day came after police received a call from a man saying he was going to take his life at Margate's Main Sands.

The lifeboat located the person and a crew member entered the water to support him as he was distressed and seemed to be sinking.

He had to be coaxed into the lifeboat and was taken back ashore into the privacy of the lifeboat station, where he was handed into the care of ambulance staff, police and other health professionals.

This was the second call to a suicide attempt lifeboat crews this weekend.

A "very cold and anxious" man was rescued from the sea in Margate on Friday night.

A coastguard helicopter, police, ambulance crews and a lifeboat searched and the man was pulled from the water just before 10pm.

Margate lifeboat's Nick Smith said: "Time was of the essence here and it was thanks to the determination and perseverance of all involved that this person was rescued.

"We urgently plead with people to dial 999 and ask for coastguard if they see anything untoward at sea or on the shoreline."

A man was also rescued Saturday morning from a cliff edge overlooking Ramsgate harbour.

Fire crews were called just after 9am and were joined by the coastguard and ambulance staff.

They found the man - who was carefully rescued from the ledge by a height vehicle cage and stretcher - on the cliff between Military Road and Paragon Promenade.