THREE drunk lads who set out to sea in a dinghy with just one paddle were rescued yesterday after drifting for 11 hours.

The trio, aged 15 to 25 wearing shorts and T-shirts, set off at 9pm on Saturday from Littlehampton, West Sussex.

They were spotted at 8am by a birdwatcher who saw them waving for help two miles out.

An RNLI crew picked them up. Thinking they had made it across the Channel to France, the three lads greeted baffled rescuers with "bonjour".

They were treated for hypothermia at Worthing Hospital and discharged.