Crew taken off ship after it runs aground off Skye

Four crew members have been rescued from a 500 tonne ship that ran aground off the Isle of Skye.

Kyle and Portree RNLI lifeboats were launched at about 18:45 on Tuesday after the 40m (131ft) fish carrier got into difficulty south of Kyle Rhea.

The crew transferred to another boat, before returning on Wednesday morning for an attempt to refloat the ship.

This was unsuccessful but it is to be attempted again later with assistance from an emergency towing vessel.

HM Coastguard said no-one was hurt during the grounding and no pollution had been detected.

Andrew MacDonald, spokesman for Kyle RNLI Lifeboat, said: "The vessel ran aground around the time of high tide, therefore by the time ourselves and other assistance arrived on scene, there was no way we could get the boat refloated.

"The decision was made to take the crew off the vessel overnight for their own safety."