Lifeboat crews and a search and rescue helicopter were called after four young people were swept to sea on an inflatable swimming pool.

The incident has prompted a warning from Whitstable lifeboat helmsman Liam Sidders, who says inflatables are not suitable for use at sea as it takes "very little breeze for them to be swept off the beach much quicker than anyone can swim".

Whitstable RNLI lifeboat, Herne Bay Coastguard, and the the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Lydd were launched at about 4.40pm yesterday, to a report the group were in the water about three-quarters of a mile off Beltinge, Herne Bay.

They were reportedly hanging onto the inflatable pool, which had capsized and was adrift at sea.

The lifeboat rushed to the scene, but arrived to find the group had already made their way ashore.

Following the incident, RNLI helmsman Liam Sidders said: “Of course we want people to enjoy the amazing Kent coast, this is a great place to live and to visit, however we also ask people to take care.

"Inflatables look fun, but they are designed for the swimming pool, and not the sea.

"It takes very little breeze for them to be swept off the beach much quicker than anyone can swim, so what starts as a great day out can turn into an extremely serious situation in a matter of seconds”

“In an emergency don’t try and perform anything but the most simple rescue yourself, every year many people die around our coast in an effort to save others. It is much better to remain calm, immediately call 999, and tell the Coastguard exactly where you are and what you can see.

“Our lifeboat crews are on call all day, every day, and respond at a moment’s notice”.

The RNLI reminds beachgoers to follow its three-step beach safety advice: always swim from a lifeguarded beach, always take your mobile phone with you in a waterproof case, and don’t use inflatables on the sea.

It was the second call of the day for RNLI Whitstable. The crew also launched at 1.20pm yesterday, to reports of a jet skier in trouble about a mile off Seasalter, Whitstable.

Smoke was reportedly issuing from the craft's engine.

The crew conducted a search of the Swale, but found no trace of the jet skier and the lifeboat was stood down.

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay

Read more: All the latest news from Whitstable