Four people were plucked to safety after their speedboat was hurled against break-water rocks following an engine failure.

The day-trippers were spotted climbing from the stricken 16ft craft by a fisherman, who raised the alarm.

The police helicopter was launched and lifeboat crews raced to the scene to find the group unhurt but shivering with cold on the rocks west of the entrance to Shoreham harbour.

The drama happened just after 2pm on Saturday.

The inshore lifeboat pulled up alongside the breakwater and the frightened group of three men and a woman were coaxed off the rocks in a 30-minute operation.

The 20-year-old speedboat was left high and dry by the outgoing tide, its hull peppered with small holes from the collision with the rocks.

Owner Sergei Gorishny, from London, explained how disaster almost struck when he decided to take his friends out for the day.

Mr Gorishny, 27, said: "We have never had a problem with the boat before even though it is so old.

"The engine cut out and we were at the mercy of the sea.

"We could see the rocks close by and the boat began lurching towards them.

"As soon as we crashed into the breakwater we all scrambled over the side, trying to get as far away from the waves as possible.

"We're all very grateful to the man who spotted us and contacted the Coastguards."

He and friends Natalia Bishnym, Victor Eonym and Edward Shalye were given a quick check-up at the lifeboat station and found to be unhurt.

Chris Bunby, from the station, said the rescue took about 30 minutes.

He added: "Everybody was wet and cold but nobody was injured. We went back later to recover personal possessions.

"The boat was high and dry on the rocks. The four people were standing high up above the boat on the rocks."

Mr Gorishny was told he could later recover his boat, which was extensively damaged.

He said: "I feel so sorry for my boat but it's not smashed up completely. "We are safe, which is most important, and I'll get the boat repaired."

l A fishing boat was towed to safety after breaking down six miles off the coast.

The 20ft Boomerang was picked up by the Eastbourne offshore lifeboat while out on routine patrol yesterday at 11.20am.

There were two people on board the boat, which was towed into Sovereign Harbour an hour later.