Dover Coastguards have been co-ordinating the operation to warn shipping of the danger of 1,500 tonnes of timber floating in the Channel.

The wood came from the Russian-registered cargo ship Sinegorsk which listed heavily in rough weather at the weekend, resulting in the timber falling into the sea off the Sussex coast.

Regular radio broadcasts have been made to shipping in the area, and the wood is likely to be washed up on the Kent coast.

The receiver of wreck is being kept informed of the sawn timber and its likely impact on the shoreline.

Fred Caygill of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the Sinegorsk lost its load as it came in to the south west lane of the Dover straits, approaching Newhaven.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch will investigate the accident.

The gale-force winds which swept through the Channel early this week caused disruption to ferry services from Dover.

Some crossings were delayed, and others were cancelled, as ships battled against the rough seas.