Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond and US warships and fighter jets shot down a barrage of drones and missiles fired at commercial vessels in the Red Sea, military chiefs said on Wednesday.

The attacks are believed to have been launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted: "HMS DIAMOND, along with US warships, has repelled the largest attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date. "Destroying multiple attack drones with her guns and sea viper missiles."

One report suggested HMS Diamond shot down seven drones.