Rescued kayaker tried to enter Jersey illegally

A rescued kayaker was trying to enter Jersey illegally, it has emerged.

The Channel Islands Air Search and St Catherine's lifeboat were alerted by the French Coastguard after a man was seen paddling towards Jersey on Tuesday evening.

The 26-year-old man was rescued from the Ecrehous reef, to the north east of the island, where he had got stranded.

He was then taken to Jersey where he was met by Customs and Immigration.

The man, who claims to be from South Africa, had no identification on him and was detained overnight.

He was interviewed this morning when he claimed asylum.

He is now being escorted back to France.