Concern is growing for a missing sailor after a 12ft catamaran was found drifting off Thanet last night.

The white New Cat 12 was discovered in the Thames Estuary, 27 miles north east of the North Foreland at about 8pm with no one on board.

Coastguards found a black North Face rucksack on board containing items of clothing, maps and a small quantity of cash, but no clue to identity. It has now been towed into Ramsgate Harbour.

Coastguard crews searched the area overnight and continued this morning but nothing further has been discovered.

Now police say they are becoming increasingly concerned for who may have been sailing it.

The catamaran is a white New Cat 12 model with the serial number 7064-1999 and make number K-0566.

Anyone who know who the vessel belongs to or has other information should call police on 101 and quoting reference 26-1235.