The coastguard was called out to investigate after an empty kayak had been found drifting at sea. 

The red vessel had been spotted in the water at Chalkwell by a paddle boarder at around 6.10pm yesterday (Monday, June 14), who brought it ashore and raised the alarm. 

Both the coastguard and on-duty lifeguard spoke to the paddle border to work out exactly where the kayak had been found. 

They eventually agreed the kayak had been empty the entire time and had accidentally been taken out to see by the tide. 

A coastguard spokesman said: "Based on where it was found, the direction of the offshore wind and outgoing tide with no items found on the kayak or any kayak accessories attached to the craft for sea going, it was determined this was a kayak which had drifted from the Leigh on Sea locale from a mooring / storage area.

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"Dover Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre also determined the same given there had been no overdue alerts and no one reported missing, so the team was stood down."

The kayak was taken to Pier and Foreshore offices based at Southend Pier.

Anyone who knows who may own the kayak should contact the pier.