A huge emergency response was launched after a person on a yacht reportedly went overboard two miles off the coast.

An air ambulance and Coastguard helicopter were scrambled to Ramsgate and two RNLI lifeboats launched just after 1pm, after reports of a person in the water.

The person has now been passed into the care of paramedics.

An RNLI spokesman said: "It’s understood the person had been on a yacht, and when the lifeboats arrived on scene the casualty had been recovered on board.

"The Ramsgate inshore lifeboat (ILB) went alongside the yacht, and RNLI volunteer crew members assisted with the casualty.

"A short time later a paramedic from a Coastguard helicopter was winched aboard the Ramsgate RNLI all-weather lifeboat, then transferred onto the ILB and taken to the yacht.

"The yacht was then brought into Ramsgate Harbour where the casualty was placed in the care of ambulance crews."

Sailing event Ramsgate Week – a week-long "friendly regatta" – is currently taking place in Ramsgate.

Event organiser Royal Temple Yacht Club has this afternoon been approached by KentOnline but declined to provide a response.

The ambulance service has been approached for details.

More to follow.