A car owner got that sinking feeling at the weekend when his 4x4 went for a swim in the sea.

The unknown driver went onto the mudflats at Leysdown on the Isle of Sheppey with a jet ski on a trailer being towed behind his vehicle while the tide was out.

But soon the vehicle was up to its axles in ooze and wasn’t going anywhere.

Attempts to move it failed and when the tide came in today the truck ended up being submerged up to its roof.

Ian Arnell, Swale council’s seafront manager, said: “This is the second time in three years this has happened and it looks like it will be down to me to recover it.

“It is no laughing matter when I have to use my budget for such things.”

Coastguards won’t touch it as they are responsible for the preservation of life.

The recovery of property is down to the individual owner.

The last time this happened the car was recovered by car breakers at Monkey Farm, Sheerness.

There is a danger that diesel and battery acid will leak out into the sea where bathers swim.