TWO 14-year-old boys sparked a major sea search through the night after going missing in their boat.

They were eventually found stuck in mud in the Fleet near Weymouth and had to be airlifted to safety by a helicopter.

The drama began in the early hours of yesterday when the pair, thought be under the influence of drink, were seen motoring out of Weymouth harbour in a rigid hulled inflatable boat.

Worried onlookers raised the alarm when they did not return and a search was launched involving the coastguard helicopter, the police helicopter, lifeboats and ground search teams.

Coastguards said they were aided in the search by calm seas and good visibility.

But it was not until first light that rescuers were alerted to the Fleet where members of the public had seen distress flares and heard cries for help close to the shore near Littlesea Holiday Park.

Jim Anderson, Portland Coastguard watch manager, said it was felt that a land-based rescue would be too time consuming so the pair were airlifted from their vessel by the coastguard helicopter.

The boys were taken to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester where they were found to be cold and confused but otherwise well.