A person has been taken to hospital after three unrelated search operations were launched along the Kent coast in quick succession.

Emergency services were scrambled to two welfare concerns and a missing person report last night in Thanet.

During those events, the coastguard helicopter based at Lydd was called out to both Ramsgate and West Bay, near Margate.

All three people were treated at the scene, while one was taken to hospital.

The first incident was in Ramsgate where crews were called shortly after 8pm to reports of someone in the sea off the main beach.

Police, the RNLI and the coastguard were all called to the scene – as well as a search helicopter.

But rescue crews were stood down when the person and their carer were recovered by an officer.

Emergency services were called an hour later after reports of a woman entering the water in the West Bay area.

A coastguard spokesman said: “The alarm was raised at about 9.20pm and coastguard rescue teams were sent from Margate, Herne Bay and Deal.

“The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from also sent from Lydd, as well as two RNLI lifeboats from Margate.

“South East Coast Ambulance Service transported the person to hospital.”

The final call out was to a person reported to be in difficulty at Dumpton Gap, Margate, the coastguard said.

“The alarm was raised at about 5.30am.

“The RNLI's inshore lifeboat was also sent from Ramsgate.

“The person was passed into the care of South East Coast Ambulance Service,” they added.