A Royal Navy warship has been scrambled to shadow a Russian spy ship travelling through the English Channel.

HMS Diamond and a Wildcat helicopter were dispatched to follow the underwater reconnaissance ship Yantar after it approached the UK coast.

Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer and the helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have been monitoring the Russian Navy ship as it travels north through the English Channel.

A Navy spokesman said: “HMS Diamond met up with Yantar and will continue to monitor the vessel's movements and activities as it continues north.”