$10,000 to save this drunken idiot

A NIGHT of drunken skylarking has left a Ukrainian tourist with a hangover he will always remember - and taxpayers with a huge bill.

After a night on the drink, the 19-year-old man scaled down a cliff near Manly but got stuck half way and passed out.

After being alerted by a fisherman, rescue workers found him asleep on his back on a ledge 30m above sea level at North Head early yesterday morning.

The rescue operation will cost taxpayers at least $10,000.