THREE men who crossed the Channel on a 'goodwill' mission to Shepway District Council ended up being berated by angry coastguards, embarrassing council officials, and spending a night in police cells.

Their Robinson Crusoe-style raft consisted of six oil drums lashed to planking and a mast that had no sail.

They were arrested after it limped into Folkestone Harbour on Thursday escorted by a coastguard boat launched after they were spotted by a ship drifting five miles off the coast.

Coastguard officials criticised them for not notifying officials in advance of their crossing from Boulogne, using an unsafe outboard engine, possessing a faulty radio, having no life jackets, and carrying rescue flares 20 years out of date.

Council Chairman George Bunting later presented them with three mugs.