Eight people cut off from a popular beach by the tide have been rescued.

Ramsgate lifeboat station launched at the request of the Coastguard at about 12.35pm following the report of people in trouble at Joss Bay near Broadstairs.

An RNLI lifeguard from Stone Bay gave safety advice to those cut off while crews made their way to the scene.

A spokesman for Ramsgate RNLI said: "Margate all weather lifeboat was passing the area and stood by while the Ramsgate lifeboat made its way to the scene.

"The lifeboat remained on scene until after the mobile Coastguard unit arrived on scene and opened the gate at the bottom of the steps, allowing the people to reach safety.

"The lifeboat then took the lifeguard aboard and returned him to Stone Bay."