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A dredger carrying up to 3,500 litres of marine fuel has sunk the the bottom of Heysham harbour in the United Kingdom, sparking fears of a major oil spill in the area.

The Abigail H, began to take on water in the early hours of Sunday after it was left moored overnight at the North Quay of Portway in Heysham, Lancashire. Three crew members are said to have been on board the vessel when the incident took place.

The 160-tonne, 35-metre dredger is reported to have sailed into the dock on Saturday. Fire-fighters believe the Abigail H may have been damaged when she arrived at the harbour.

Fire crews, the Coastguard Agency and officers from the Environment Agency arrived at the scene to try to minimise any pollution risks.

Commenting on the situation, a spokesman for the Coastguard Agency said "Contractors and fire crews are working at the site to prevent any risk of pollution. There is some minor spillage."

A spokesman for the fire service said "We went on behalf of the environment agency to reduce the spillage of diesel that was coming out. As the tide was coming in, the oil was washing into the harbour. We put a water break around the ship and booms in the water to absorb the contaminant.

"The tide came in while we were there and completely covered the boat.

"The diesel tank is sealed and maritime salvage crews will pump the oil from it when the tide goes down again."

A spokesman for HM Coastguard said "She is in a tidal area which is making pumping attempts difficult. She sank pretty quickly and now we are faced with an anti pollution battle.

"All the crew got off her safely. But there was some minor spillage, but it has been contained. The owners and the insures are now at the scene evaluating the damage."