A major air and sea search was launched in the early hours after a "distressed woman" went missing in Whitstable.

The two-hour operation, which began at about 4am, saw the police join with Herne Bay and Margate coastguard and RNLI Whitstable to scour the area after the woman was spotted in the Island Wall area.

The coastguard helicopter was also launched to help with the mission.

A spokesman for RNLI Whitstable said: "The lifeboat searched the area from Seasalter to Swalecliffe but after an hour and 20 minutes was stood down along with all other units, when it was reported that the person had been located on shore and safe and well."

A police spokesman added: "Kent Police was called at 3.21am on Tuesday to a report of a distressed woman in the Island Wall area of Whitstable.

"Officers carried out a search of the area alongside the Coastguard and the RNLI. The woman has since been safely located."

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