Two young sisters are lucky to be alive after being rescued from the sea at Tankerton by a fisherman.

Richard Foad was catching lobsters in the sea in Whitstable when the tide started to come in and everyone headed to shore, apart from two little girls.

The 26-year-old of High Street, Whitstable, said: “I heard a scream but I just thought they were playing.

“It wasn’t until I looked up and one wasn’t quite swimming properly. One kept coming up and going down and I knew something was wrong.

“I got to them as quick as I could and the girl said ‘can you help my little sister?’

“I got the little sister on board. The older one was a stronger swimmer so I got her in next.

“They didn’t say anything. They were shaken up but OK.

“I took them back to shore and watched them walk up the beach.

“Their parents weren’t there. I expected a woman to come running down the beach but there was no one. A man came along but he didn’t know them, he’d seen what had happened and said if I hadn’t been there who knows what would have happened to them.

"It's awful to think about, especially with what happened at Margate on Saturday."

Richard watched the girls walk up the beach, unable to leave his boat, but later went to check the area but couldn’t see them.

He added: “If I hadn’t got there in time she would have been walking home alone.

“I’m still shaken now, I didn’t sleep last night, I keep seeing it. I won’t forget the scream for a while.

“I’m sitting here now thinking what the bloody hell was that.

“Along The Street it’s not very deep and then suddenly there’s an 8ft drop.

“It’s so dangerous. There were fatalities there in the 70s but there’s no signage. I’m going to try to push for it now.

“There is a lifeguard hut there but it’s so far down.”

The incident has prompted a warning about the potential dangers.

Tankerton ward councillor Neil Baker said: "I can't stress enough how The Street, while picturesque, is only safe as long as care is taken. Sharp drop off the end, deceptively powerful currents and when the tide turns, it turns quickly.

"I have asked the council's foreshore manager to consider any additional signs that may help reduce risk, and I know he's on site today, but it's the lack of knowledge, and education given, of how tides work and the dangers related to the coastline that worries me the most. Signs can only achieve so much.

"Quick thinking yesterday by Mr Foad helped avoid a potential tragedy and he deserves all the thanks he is receiving. Hopefully it will also act as a reminder of how the sea can be a dangerous beast when not respected.

"Growing up in the town, I was warned of the dangers associated with The Street by older relatives who remembered previous tragedies. But with the influx of visitors and new residents to the town, there are now many people walking along The Street who won't have the benefit of advice from relatives who know only too well what can happen."