A FISHERMAN is missing, feared dead, after a French trawler ran into trouble in the Channel.

The 180-ton vessel sank in horrendous sea conditions 20 miles off the coast of Dungeness last night.

Six other people on board the boat were hauled to safety by a Belgian rescue helicopter.

Dover Coastguard said the search for the missing man would continue but hopes of finding him alive were remote.

A spotter plane from Manston is helping in the search.