DOVER lifeboat was launched after two ships collided in the Channel early today.

The accident happened 15 miles east north east of Dover at about 7am. It involved a Belgian trawler, the Corona Gloria, with five people on board, and an unknown ship.

At about 10.45am the Corona Gloria was being towed by another trawler when it started taking on water.

Dover lifeboat was launched, and three members of the lifeboat crew went on board the trawler with a salvage pump.

The trawler is now being towed towards Boulogne, and Boulogne lifeboat is due to be launched this afternoon with more pumps to take over the recovery operation, allowing the Dover lifeboat crew to return to port.