A "very cold and anxious" man was rescued from the sea in Margate last night.

Police officers were joined in the search by the coastguard helicopter just before 10pm.

The man was pulled from the water by lifeboat crews and treated by ambulance staff.

The Margate coastguard rescue team was also involved in the search.

Lifeboat spokesman Peter Barker said: "Police sighted something in the water and the lifeboat was directed to the scene where they found an adult male up to his chest in water, cold and distressed.

"The casualty had to be coaxed by the lifeboat crew and he was eventually recovered into the lifeboat and immediately taken ashore and handed into the care of paramedics.

"He was reported to be physically uninjured but very cold and in an anxious state. The rescue units were stood down and returned to station."

Rescue teams extended their search to Infirmary Bay after initially starting close to Nayland Rock.

Margate lifeboat's Nick Smith added: "Time was of the essence here and it was thanks to the determination and perseverance of all involved that this person was rescued.

"We urgently plead with people to dial 999 and ask for coastguard if they see anything untoward at sea or on the shoreline."