AN INQUIRY is to be held into the cause of a collision involving an oil tanker and a cargo ship in the English Channel, 16 miles south of Dover, and six miles off the French coast.

There were no injuries and no oil was spilled during the incident which happened on Thursday

The collision involved the Norwegian cargo vessel Star Hurdla, and the 25,000 gross tonne oil and chemical tanker Cape Bradley, which is registered in the Marshall Islands.

The tanker was reported to be carrying 30,000 metric tonnes of Naptha, a high flammable liquid, and the Star Hurdla was heading for Boulogne with a general cargo.

Warnings were broadcast to other ships in the area, and French maritime experts went on board the vessels to inspect the damage.

The Coastguard tug Anglian Monarch stood by in the area, and then towed the Star Hurdla to Boulogne.

The Cape Bradley sustained minor damage and continued under its own steam to Rotterdam.

An inquiry is to be held into the cause of the collision.