Molly Reed thanks Erik Dalley, with the Lobster Pot in the background

Tony Reed, aged in his 60s and a diabetes sufferer, was being kept at St Richard's, Chichester, for observation.

He and two friends - Ivan Towse and Graham Halliday - were rescued from the sea at Felpham, near Bognor Regis, on Saturday morning.

Erik Dalley and Carl Quin helped two of them by using a kayak and a surfboard.

Mr Reed had a "fairly comfortable" night in hospital on Saturday, according to Sue Meuss, co-owner of the Lobster Pot cafe on Felpham beachfront.

She said Mr Reed's wife Molly and their daughter had visited him on Sunday morning.

"Because he's a diabetic they were just keeping him in for observation," she said.

The surfboard can be seen on the beach after the rescue

Mr Towse - who managed to swim ashore himself - and Mr Halliday were both released from hospital on Saturday after suffering slight hypothermia during their ordeal.

Ms Meuss said both men were in her cafe for breakfast on Sunday morning.

"Obviously they're still a little bit shocked from yesterday's events," she said.

"They were talking about it amongst themselves but they're both fine.

"They're going about their everyday life now and everybody is just elated that they're all safe and well."