'Would-be pirates' in sinking boat rescued from harbour

Police said the boat the pair chose to cross the harbour "wasn’t the most sea worthy"

A couple have been rescued after they tried to cross Portsmouth Harbour in a small, leaking wooden boat.

The 45-year-old man and 57-year-old woman were spotted in difficulty and rescued by Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) in the early hours.

Gosport Police said officers met the soggy and cold "would-be pirates of Portsmouth Harbour" after they came ashore, where they were checked over searched and their details taken.

The force said officers were trying to track down the owners of the potentially stolen boat, which appeared "to have sailed its last voyage".

At its narrowest point the crossing from Portsmouth Harbour towards Gosport is 230m (755ft) across.

Gosport Police said both were "very lucky" they were spotted "otherwise things could have turned out very differently".

The force added: "It goes without saying that Portsmouth Harbour is a very busy and dangerous working harbour and presents a very real risk to life.

"Under no circumstances is it safe to try and cross the harbour yourself to try and save the ferry or taxi fare."