A rescue operation was mounted in the sea off Broadstairs this afternoon after reports that a dinghy could be in trouble.

A concerned member of the public walking along the seafront raised the alarm after having worries about a small angling craft in the water at Stone Bay.

Both the Ramsgate all-weather lifeboat, the Esme Anderson, and the station's inshore Claire and David Delves lifeboat were launched and sent to the area.

A Coastguard helicopter based at Lydd airport also went to the scene and a Border Force cutter, which happened to be patrolling in the same area, also attended.

But Ian Cannon, Coxswain of Ramsgate Lifeboat Station said the report proved to be a false alarm and the dinghy is understood to have returned safely to Ramsgate harbour.

He explained: "There was a report from a member of the public that a dinghy could have been in trouble as it was said to be low in the water. The area was searched but nothing was found.

"It was a launch with good intent at about 3.20pm and we returned back at about 5pm."