A lifeboat crew and coastguard teams were involved in an almost eight-hour search for a missing man off the Kent coast.

The coastguard was called shortly after 1pm to an incident in the English Channel between Dungness and Hythe.

The Dungeness lifeboat crew was dispatched and were still out at sea late last night

They joined teams from the Coastguard’s search and rescue units from Langdon Battery, near Dover, Folkestone and Deal.

Coastguard helicopters were also sent to assist but stood down earlier yesterday afternoon.

Shortly after 8.30pm marine tracking data showed the Dungeness lifeboat returning to her station.

Police confirmed this morning the search was for a missing 30-year-old who disappeared yesterday.

Officers are concerned and released a CCTV image captured at the Hythe Ranges at 2.30am believed to be that of missing person Sam Elam.

He left his home in the St Leonards Road area in the early hours and was reported missing today.

He was wearing a black jacket, jeans, blue Skechers trainers, a woolly hat and glasses.

A police spokesman said: “An image of Sam has also been provided by his family that is several years old but believed to be the most recent taken and still a good likeness.”

Call 999 quoting reference 02-0480 if you see Sam or know where he is.