A backpacker from Eastbourne escaped from a stricken tourist ship when it became stranded in rough seas off Bali.

Shayne Howell was among a group of tourists from Britain and New Zealand who got stuck when an engine broke on the 23-metre outrigger, which was anchored just north of the island of Lombok.

As the boat drifted for hours, one of the party, 19-year-old Rebecca Fyfe, sent a text message from her mobile phone to her boyfriend in London to sound the alarm.

The boyfriend contacted UK coastguards, who were initially unable to reach their counterparts in Indonesia, and called Australian rescuers instead.

The Australians eventually reached Indonesian officials, and searchers reportedly set out to look for the boat more than seven hours after Miss Fyfe sent her message.

In the meantime, Mr Howell and three other Britons used surfboards to paddle the 300 metres to safety. The others stayed behind, anxious about tackling the rough waters.

Mr Howell, who lives with his family in Greys Road, Old Town, was today said to be recovering from his ordeal in a Balinese five star hotel.

A neighbour said today: "Shayne is very fit. He does windsurfing and things like that. He will certainly have a story to tell when he gets home."