A major search operation was launched on a seafront to track down a missing teenage girl.

Lifeboats, police and a coastguard helicopter were called to Westbrook Bay at about 10pm yesterday following reports a person may have entered the sea.

The operation was in relation to the search for a teenage girl who was reported missing from Margate shortly before 9.30pm.

The child was found safe at about midnight in the Ramsgate area.

Margate RNLI confirmed two of its boats were launched at about 10pm to search for a missing person in the Westbrook Bay area.

A spokesman said: "Reports indicated the person may have entered the sea.

"An intensive shoreline and close inshore waters search was carried out by the lifeboats along with coastguard rescue teams from Margate and Herne Bay, the coastguard rescue helicopter from Lydd Airport and Kent Police.

"After about an hour of searching, the person was located safe ashore and the units were stood down and returned to the station.

"If you have cause for concern for anyone or see someone possibly in difficulties near the sea do not hesitate - dial 999 and ask for coastguard."

A police spokesman confirmed the incident was in relation to a search for a teenage child reported missing from Margate at 9.20pm.

"She was safely located at about midnight in the Ramsgate area," he said.

A spokesperson for the coastguard confirmed it too had responded to the incident.

"After the initial call at about 9.30pm, coastguard rescue teams from Margate, Deal and Herne Bay, lifeboats from Margate RNLI and the coastguard helicopter from base in Lydd were sent to the scene."