The emergency services descended on a village after reports of a body in the water.

People have reported seeing 10 police cars and a fire engine heading towards the Marina Park, in Hoo, just after 7.30pm.

Today, police have confirmed it was a false alarm.

A spokesman said: “Kent Police was called at around 7pm on Thursday, August 17, to a report that a person may have been seen in the water near Hoo Marina Park.

“Officers attended along with other emergency services and extensive searches were carried out.

“These searches continued into daylight hours on Friday, August 18. The sighting is now being treated as a false alarm.”

The coastguard was also said to be in attendance.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue (KFRS) said: “This is an ongoing incident with Kent Police as the lead agency.

“KFRS is there in a supporting capacity only at present.”

A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard has been responding to an incident in the Hoo Marina Park area, Kent, this evening (17 August).

“Alerted at around 7.15pm, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Medway and Sheppey and a lifeboat from Sheerness RNLI were sent to the scene.”

The other emergency services have been contacted for more information.