RESCUE teams were called to a leaking tanker in a shipping lane this morning.

The 155 metre tanker, which was 15 miles off the coast of Newhaven, was said to be listing to one side due to a leak.

Newhaven RNLI were paged at 10.47am this morning after the distress call.

They attended in their all-weather lifeboat, along with a coastguard helicopter.

The leak was fixed by the crew while rescue teams stood by.

The tanker had 21 people onboard.

Both rescue teams were stood down after just over an hour.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokeswoman said: "HM Coastguard is monitoring a tanker in the southwest lane of the Dover Straits, following a radio broadcast from the vessel shortly after 10.30am today, August 31, reporting ingress of water in the engine room and the vessel listing.

"Newhaven RNLI lifeboat and the coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent were sent to provide safety cover but have since stood down as the vessel was able to stop the ingress. The vessel continues to pump the excess water into holding tanks and correct the list with no additional assistance.

"MCA’s duty counter pollution and salvage officer and duty surveyor are fully informed of the incident. The vessel is currently checking all aspects of its propulsion systems prior to resuming passage."