A giant buoy which is higher than a double-decker bus has washed up on a Kent seafront.

Beach-goers were shocked to discover the large object in Dumpton Gap in Broadstairs after heavy winds battered the area.

Rogan Montgomery-Smith, 76, who spotted it yesterday, said: "The winds were pretty strong the night before so that’s probably why it broke free. It was a bit of a crowd puller - there were a few people there.

"It is quite big and is more than one storey high. It is a bit taller than a double-decker bus."

It is understood to be a cardinal buoy which are placed around an area of danger in accordance of the main points of the compass.

The pictured buoy should be placed to the west of the hazard, which can be identified by its unique pattern of mostly yellow with a black band in the middle.

A Thanet Council spokesperson said: "The West Quern buoy marks the edge of the Quern Bank, situated half a mile to the south of the entrance to Ramsgate Harbour.

"The bad weather that we experienced this weekend caused the buoy to become detached from its chain and it has washed up on Dumpton Gap beach.

"The buoy will be recovered by our specialist contractors, and will be reinstated as soon as weather and tides allow.

"A notice to mariners has been issued today (October 4), to warn vessels of the temporary change to the port’s buoys."

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet