Russian sensors suspected of trying to spy on British nuclear submarines are reported to have been found hidden in the seas around the UK.

The British military made the discovery after a number of them washed ashore and were located by the Royal Navy. They are being seen as a potential threat to national security.

The situation has not previously been made public but it has been reported in The Sunday Times that Moscow was looking to try and collect intelligence on the UK’s four Vanguard submarines, which carry nuclear missiles.

At least one of the submarines is at sea as part of Britain’s continuous at-sea deterrent.