Three Russian sailors had to be rescued from an island off the coast of Wales after going on a drinking trip in a dinghy and getting lost on the way back to their ship.

The trio set off from their Dutch-registered cargo coaster Alana Evita which was anchored two miles off the coast of Minehead, Somerset.

They successfully navigated eight miles of the Bristol Channel and made their way to Barry in South Wales - the resort made famous by the hit TV sitcom Gavin And Stacey.

After a drinking session, the Russians attempted the return journey back to base, but got lost in the fog and ended up on the tiny island of Flat Holm, occupied by one lighthouse, a couple of outbuildings and a farmhouse.

A major search and rescue operation was sparked after the men were reported missing from the cargo ship, and five lifeboats from Minehead, Burnham-on-Sea, Barry Dock and Penarth were launched, together with a Coastguard helicopter.