THE coastguard has issued a warning to youngsters not to "drink and drown" after the disappearance of a drunk 17-year-old sparked a massive search.

Helicopters and lifeboats were sent out only for the boy to be found 90 minutes later sleeping in a car in Hamworthy. The boy had been on a night out with friends and was described as "paralytically drunk" when he was separated from them.

When they looked for him all they saw was his mobile phone on the water's edge at Poole Harbour. They contacted the police about 1am on Saturday. Portland Coastguard was alerted and an intensive search began. The police and coastguard helicopter were sent out along with Poole RNLI inshore lifeboat and Poole Coastguard Rescue team. The police also launched two rigid-hulled inflatable boats and did their own land-based search.

Acting watch manager, William Gibbs, said: "We were concerned for the boy's safety and immediately began an intensive search. Just as we were terminating it, the police said the boy was found asleep in a car at Hamworthy."

Mr Gibbs said the coastguard deals with many alcohol-related fatalities a year where people fall or jump into the water.

He said: "Searching for drunk people is time-consuming and costly and can put other people's lives at risk. The message which we would like to send to young people is simple: don't drink and drown."