Coastguard and lifeboat crews - including the search and rescue helicopter - were launched last night after a person was reported to be in distress.

The teams were called out to Dymchurch beach after police received a call about a person in trouble on the beach just after 8.30pm.

Coastguard teams from Dungeness, Folkestone, the lifeboat from Littlestone and the search and rescue helicopter based at Lydd all sent to the scene.

Search teams were split up to carry a full scale sweep of the beach from the east to the west and along the rock armour.

But after a thorough search right along the beach, no people were found in distress.

The coastguard advises people to call 999 and ask for the coastguard in a coastal emergency.