Three people have been rescued from a French fishing vessel that sunk in the English Channel.

However, a search is still under way for two other crew members remain missing.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said two people are still “unaccounted for” and those who have been rescued have been taken to hospital.

An “intensive search” south-west of Eddystone Lighthouse, and just off of Plymouth, has been under way since a distress call was made from the troubled boat on Saturday evening.

The French authorities said the stricken fishing vessel is called The Maranello, and it had contacted another trawler – The Stradale – to say it had a problem with its fishing gear.

The Stradale managed to recover three of the five crew members on Saturday before the Maranello sank, the French naval prefecture for the Atlantic added.

An MCA spokesman said: “HM Coastguard maintained the intensive search during the night and it is continuing today with multiple assets sent to help with the search.

“Three people were rescued last evening from the French-registered fishing vessel which had made the call for help.

“They were taken to hospital for further care.

“The search is continuing for two further people who remain unaccounted for.

“The vessel has sunk.”

A coastguard rescue helicopter, a fixed wing aircraft plus RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth and Plymouth were among the vessels scrambled to the scene.

Local vessels have also been helping with the British-led search-and-rescue operation.

The MCA was alerted by a report about the vessel just after 6pm on Saturday.

The French Navy’s Falcon 50 was been deployed to the scene.