A Kent RNLI crew is pleading with drivers to stop parking outside its lifeboat station.

The team at Margate RNLI have shared a shocking photo that appears to show at least 10 motorbikes parked in the way of their launch route this afternoon.

They took to Facebook to remind people the lifeboat may be needed today, as people flock to the coast to enjoy the bank holiday sunshine.

They said: "It is good to see the town enjoying a busy weekend in this fine weather but can we make a plea to locals and visitors alike.

"We are an emergency service and operational as normal and require free passage both for the lifeboat crew to get to the boathouse in an emergency and more importantly to allow the lifeboat to be able to launch - lives could depend on this.

"The route is clearly marked and we ask please that visitors use the designated car parks in the town - have fun everyone but help us do our job!"

The warning comes as hundreds of bikers have gathered in the town for an "unofficial Margate Meltdown".

The annual Margate Meltdown typically sees bikers meet at Ace Cafe London before riding out to Margate, for an afternoon of live entertainment, stalls and refreshments.

While this year's event has been cancelled, a Facebook page for an unofficial event called "Not the Margate Meltdown" - scheduled for between 10am and 5pm today - has attracted interest from more than 500 people.

This is not the first time the county's lifeboat crews have been forced to make an appeal about parking.

Just last month, RNLI Whitstable begged people not to park in emergency spaces for its volunteers - adding that doing so may one day "cost a life".

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet