A Norwegian couple are recovering in West Cork after spending three days stranded in raging seas off the Irish coast.

The couple in thier 60s were unable to issue a May Day alert after thier 10-metre boat - Alice II - was damaged in stormy conditions.

They were eventually spotted by a French trawler, who brought them in contact with the Naval vessel the LE Aoife.

The couple last night paid tribute to the Irish Naval service, which towed them for two days to Castletownbere in West Cork.

One of the couple has been treated for mild shock.