A fisherman is recovering from hypothermia after his boat sank a mile and a half out to sea and he swam for more than two hours back to the shore.

Despite his ordeal, Kevin Hughes, who owns Hughes Fishmongers in Head Street, Colchester, plans to restore the boat which is used for the family business.

It was virtually destroyed after yesterday's drama off Mersea’s coast.

Three large waves went over the side of the boat and Mr Hughes struggled to get it to balance.

Wife Natasha said: “He thought he could control the situation but the boat listed on one side.

"He grabbed a life jacket and swam. They think he swam about a mile and a half and was in the water for two or three hours.

"He had been at work all day and was working all night and was exhausted."

Mr Hughes, 30, reached the Church Lane area of East Mersea’s shore around 8am, where a female dog walker spotted him after he climbed over the beach wall.