A NEW Mercedes was submerged in the sea at Viking Bay after its unfortunate owner misjudged the rising tide.

Phone salesman Alistair Baldwin, from Broadstairs, was attempting to tow his boat out of the sea on Friday night when his car got stuck on the sands.

Mr Baldwin, 22, who bought the Y reg Mercedes ML-class SUV just three weeks ago, had driven down the slipway when things started to go awry.

With no hope of getting it out of the sand, devastated Alistair had to watch as his beloved Merc was swallowed up by rapidly swelling waters.

Mr Baldwin said: "It just slid in and I couldn't save it. I can't get over it really.

"I have worked my backside off all my life for good things like my car and my boat. I rarely drink, and have never smoked or taken drugs, I just save and put my money into nice luxuries.

"It is depressing when you have worked so hard and then this happens."

A spokesman for the Dover coast guard said they were called to reports of a car spotted in the water at Viking Bay at 7.45pm on Friday.

He said: "We were worried it would be a hazard so we sent a coastguard team to check it out. Cars should never drive too close to the water's edge. People should be aware of the tide. The sand and mud can also be hazardous as the consistency can change.

"We would recommend keeping cars away from the water."

The car, which had to spend the night sitting in the sea before it was rescued the following morning, is believed to be a write-off.