A man was saved from drowning after he was spotted trying to swim to France from Dover.

One of the port vessels, a survey landing ship named Diana, spotted the man, who was fully clothed and swimming in the outer harbour at the port yesterday morning.

The man, who is believed to have mental health issues, was then picked up by the environmental boat David Church.

A spokesman for the port said: "They hauled him out and saved him from getting hypothermia or drowning.

"The police helped him as he wasn't actually breaking any laws. They came to help and get him back on his feet."

He was met by the Port of Dover police who reunited the man, who is believed to be from Winchester, with his dad.