RNLI rescue figures for 2015 have revealed two of their busiest areas were in Thanet.

Lifeboat stations at Ramsgate and Margate were two of the busiest in Kent, collectively launching 91 times and rescuing 141 people.

Missions included saving two young boys in a kayak at Minnis Bay who became caught in a current which was taking them out to sea.

And lifeguards pulled four teenage girls from a the sea after being dragged out of their depth by a rip current at a Broadstairs beach.

RNLI manager Paul Barker said: “Once again our volunteer lifeboat crews have had a busy 12 months working hard to serve their local communities.

"They willingly down tools and drop everything to respond to an emergency call for help day or night, come rain or shine.

“Over the past year the RNLI has also been working hard to prevent people from getting into danger, whether that is through lifejacket clinics or our Respect the Water campaign.

"We understand that things can go wrong from time to time, so some preventative maintenance and annual checks prior to the boating season should allow for worry free sea time.

“I would like to thank all of our volunteers for their tireless hard work and dedication throughout the past 12 months.

“I would like to thank all of our volunteers for their tireless hard work and dedication throughout the past 12 months..." RNLI manager Paul Barker

"Without all of our supporters, fundraisers, crews and education teams our lifesaving service would not operate.”

Two other missions included Gravesend RNLI saving a man who survived treading water for four hours in the Thames estuary.

And a volunteer lifeboat crew from Sheerness RNLI rescued a hypothermic man after him and his friends capsized and couldn’t get back in to their boat.

Overall RNLI lifeboat volunteers in Kent rescued 399 people. Of those, 13 were classed as lives saved – a specific RNLI criteria where a person would have died if not for the RNLI lifeboat arriving on scene.