Mystery grows as police hit dead end over missing kayak couple

The couple, who registered at a campsite as Andrew Keeble and Hannah Tye, disappeared after telling locals they were determined to cross the sea to France.

Despite an extensive air and sea search, the only possible sighting of the pair - last seen taking a taxi to Rozel harbour on August 11 - has been in Normandy.

The Mail on Sunday tracked down a witness who saw the couple setting off from Rozel in their flimsy craft the day before they vanished.

Builder John Turner said the pair had returned to shore after being discouraged by strong tides but he is convinced they tried again the following morning.

"They were just two youngsters who seemed to have no experience of the sea trying to do something no sane person would try," said Mr Turner. "I fear the worst for them."

To add to the mystery, the personal details they gave at the campsite appear to be false.

The address they gave in Burnley, Lancashire, was empty. Neighbours said they had never heard of a Hannah Tye or Andrew Keeble and the owner of the house said that although he had rented out the property over the past few years, none of the tenants matched their description.

Mr Turner, 59, met the couple when he offered to take them to a chemist because the woman, whom he described as having a Northern accent and collar-length blonde hair, wanted to buy some cream for a rash. He said they seemed "desperate" to make a day trip to France.

"I never imagined they would try to get there by a canoe because it is 12 miles away, through strong currents and choppy seas," he said.

He later saw Hannah and her boyfriend - described as dark-haired, overweight and aged about 25 - setting off from Rozel, wearing small buoyancy aids.

They paddled 400 metres before giving up and returning to shore but a fisherman said they later told him they were determined to try again the next morning.

Police are still holding the only evidence they have - the couple's two-man tent and a rucksack, which contains a few items of clothing.

Some Jersey locals believe the fact they apparently gave false names suggests the pair could have been involved in illegal activity - a theory police have not dismissed.

A spokesman said: "We are ruling nothing out at the moment."

Meanwhile, police in Normandy have been following up an apparent sighting of the pair on August 12. Two "exhausted" individuals wearing lifejackets were seen hauling a kayak up the beach at Hatainville.

A local police spokesman said: "We are looking out for them but it is all but impossible in such a busy town."