A couple of Russian sailors sparked a security scare when they got themselves hopelessly lost.

The two mariners had enjoyed a night ashore from the cargo ship Ladoga 18, which is currently moored at Shoreham harbour.

After sampling the Saturday night delights on offer in Brighton and Hove, they tried to find their way back to their vessel berthed next to the power station at Southwick.

Having travelled thousands of miles without mishap, the sailors' sense of direction suddenly let them down.

Instead of following their instincts and keeping to the coast, they seem to have become confused and headed inland, instead.

The roving Russians found themselves in the back garden of a house in Eastbrook Road, Portslade, just before midnight on Saturday.

They tried the back door to see if they could find anyone to give directions before wandering off into the night again.

The occupants of the house thought the two men were trying to break in and alerted the police.

A major search of the area was launched by officers involving response cars and a police dog unit.

Inspector Mark Powles, based at Hove, said: "The house belongs to an elderly woman and she and her carer became very concerned when they heard the gate to the back garden open.

"We had a call to say they were rattling the back door and trying to get into the house.

"We searched the area and found the two men concerned nearby in Vale Park.

"It turned out they were Russian sailors from a ship moored at Southwick and were just hopelessly lost. We took them back to their ship."

The captain of the St Petersburg-registered Ladoga 18 confirmed the incident but did not want to give his name.

He said the ship was carrying timber and made regular trips to Shoreham harbour from different parts of Europe.

He said: "The crew is usually different on every trip so they don't know the area at all.

"It is not a surprise they got lost.

"We are unloading timber and then we will wait for details of our next trip from the ship's owners.

"I won't know where we are going next until then.

"I will be going into Brighton to buy some Christmas presents for my 15-year-old daughter before we leave.

"I have not seen her for two months."