Mr Bullimore survived on "a little chocolate, water and sheer determination" crouched in the upturned hull of his yacht.

He is said to be suffering mild hypothermia and dehydration but is otherwise well.

His drifting yacht, the Exide Challenger, was spotted by an Australian navy ship.

There were no visible signs of life, but when the rescuers banged on the boat's hull, they were amazed to hear Mr Bullimore knocking back.

Asked for a cup of tea

Rescue co-ordinators say the yachtsman is very lucky to be alive.

He was wearing a survival suit which helped protect him against the extreme cold - but trapped in the boat's living quarters he probably had only enough air to last six days.

Mr Bullimore said his first reaction to hearing his rescuers outside his boat was, "absolutely ecstatic, I thought it would never happen."

Arriving on board the naval rescue ship, HMAS Adelaide, Mr Bullimore was said to be "babbling with excitement".

He also asked for a cup of tea.

His wife, Lalel, was told of the news of his rescue at the couple's home in Bristol.

She is now preparing to fly out to Australia for an emotional reunion with her husband.

She says she always believed her husband would be found.

She described him as a "survivor."

Mr Bullimore was taking part in the Vendee Globe single-handed non-stop round-the-world race.

Questions are already being asked about the high cost of the rescue operation and whether it is too risky to send lone yachtsman into the dangerous Southern Ocean.

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