A person has died after getting into difficulty in the sea.

The incident sparked a huge response from the emergency services in Hythe this morning with the air ambulance landing on the beach.

Two police cars, two ambulances and three coastguard vehicles joined from Stade Street and West Parade.

A spokesman for the ambulance service explained: “SECAmb was called at approximately 7.50am today to West Parade, Hythe, to reports of a person who had been in the water in need of medical attention.

“Ambulance crews attended and were joined at the scene by emergency service colleagues and the Kent, Surrey, Sussex Air Ambulance Service.

“Sadly, despite the best effort of all those involved, including those who helped prior to our arrival, the person died at the scene.”

HM Coastguard’s Folkestone rescue team arrived after being alerted to the incident at 8am.

Kent Police has been approached for further comment.