A British tourist has been found alive but exhausted and dehydrated after spending 24 hours in shark-infested seas off Australia's east coast.

Paul Lucas, 37, from Leicester, was swept away by a strong current while scuba diving off Coffs Harbour, 280 miles (450km) north of Sydney.

The self-employed computer programmer was found on Split Solitary Island, about four miles (7km) from where he was last seen, more than 40 hours after he disappeared on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Lucas, who was suffering from sunburn, blistered eyes and lips from the salt water and insect bites, told rescuers he spent 24 hours at sea and 15 hours on the island.

Police divers came to his rescue after he was spotted by the pilot of a pleasure cruiser.

Sergeant Paul Craggs of Coffs Harbour Water Police said boats could not reach the island because rough weather prevented them from landing.

'Needs to rest'

Mr Lucas was taken to Coffs Harbour Base Hospital for further treatment.

The hospital's director of operations, Julia Colvin, said he was expected to stay in for up to two days.

She said: "He is being monitored in an acute care area and has been on a drip.

"He was in need of rehydration. He just needs to rest now and will be assessed tomorrow morning.

"He did have a bit of sunburn but he did have a full wetsuit on that provided a fair degree of protection."

She said Mr Lucas was hugely relieved that his ordeal was over.

Mr Lucas's mother Rosina, 69, said she was "on top of the world" after speaking to her son.

She said: "Yesterday was dreadful when we got the news that he was missing at sea. He had been missing for so long and we were just about giving up hope.

"Then we got the call that he was OK and we were celebrating.

"It really is a miracle and I think it's partly down to the fact that he's not a panicky type. He's a cool character and he's also very fit. He's just not the type to give up."

Mr Lucas's brother Gerard added: "At least the waters weren't that cold so he was OK as long as he could stay conscious and as long as the sharks didn't get him."

Mrs Lucas said her son would be returning home to Oadby, near Leicester on 17 January.