A dad-of-five feared he was going to die after being slammed against a wall by a huge wave during Storm Ciaran.

John Bain, 56, had to be rescued by his son and pal after being pushed against a sea wall, while out for a walk along Dover seafront at 3pm today during high tide.

Kent has seen winds of up to 85mp and torrential rain during the ferocious storm, and Mr Bain, a steel fixer from East Cliff, says he now regrets getting so close to the sea in such terrifying conditions.

The dad walked on concrete steps on the other side of the promenade railing in the town and was slammed by a wave against the concrete wall.

He kept his balance and called out for help from his son Jake Bain, 19, and Ollie Brooks, 56, who he had been with.

They reached down, grabbed each arm and pulled Mr Bain back over the barrier to the safety of the promenade, in a moment which was captured in a dramatic photo.

He said: “It was so scary, I thought I was going to die.

“I was soaking wet so I was double my weight, which meant one of them alone couldn’t pull me over, both were needed and they struggled.

“It was so weird, suddenly I saw this pure white foam heading towards me from nowhere. It pushed me flat against the concrete wall. At least I didn’t fall over.”

Mr Bain had walked onto the concrete steps thinking it would still be safe.

But he now says: “It was a stupid thing to do. I really made a mistake. I want to live for my children. I would tell others never to do anything like that.”

The 56-year-old was unhurt by the incident, and needed no medical attention, but felt deeply shocked in the following hours.

He added: “The mental effect was worse than the physical.”