Several people are believed to be missing after a British cargo ship reportedly sank in the North Sea following a collision with another freight vessel.

According to Bild, the Verity was journeying to Lincolnshire from the German city of Bremen when it struck another ship called Polesie near Heligoland on Tuesday morning.

A search for the Verity is reportedly under way with several people understood to be missing.

This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.