The RNLI is warning beachgoers to be alert after a woman in her 50s drifted out to sea on a paddle board.

The inshore lifeboat was sent out shortly before 3.20pm on Tuesday, after the 54-year-old got into difficulty half a mile off the Shingle Bank at Minster, Sheppey.

With the wind and strong tide, she was unable to get back to the beach and found herself drifting further out to sea.

The volunteer crew found the woman, who was quite distressed, shortly before 3.40pm and took her back to safety.

She did not require any medical attention.

Earlier, the crew had been called to reports of an up-turned dinghy being blown out to sea off The Leas.

As there were concerns for the people who might have been in it, they were sent to investigate shortly after 2pm.

The Coastguard were also called but the search was abandoned after the dinghies owners reported they were safely on dry land.

A RNLI spokesman said: "At present there are no RNLI lifeguards on some beaches and although our volunteer lifeboat crews are fully operational, should they be needed, it is important that anyone visiting the coast understands the risk."

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