An investigation has been launched following a collision out to sea off the coast of The Lizard.

Just after 6pm on Saturday Falmouth Coastguard received a VHF broadcast from a 170-metre long merchant ship Team Hawk, with 20 crew on board.

They said they had been involved in a collision with a fishing vessel, nine nautical miles off Lizard Point.

The fishing boat, which was carrying five crew members, had only light, superficial damage and remained at sea.

However, the merchant vessel sustained a hole approximately 50cm by 1m, to the ballast tank.

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the tank was empty at the time and no pollution had been reported.

She added: "The vessel is currently at anchor off Falmouth. The hole is above the watermark in calm water and pumps are dealing with any water ingress.

"A surveyor will inspect the vessel and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has been informed."