Green protesters occupy oil rig

Environmental protesters have occupied an oil exploration rig off the east coast of Scotland.

They are opposing the American oil giant Jet's role in global warming and its alleged failure to use green fuels, such as bio-diesel.

Officers from Northern Constabulary have arrested 11 people and describe their operation in the Cromarty Firth, 20 miles north of Inverness, as ongoing.

A Greenpeace spokesman said that four climbers were setting up camp high up on one of the rig's legs, while two more had abseiled down another of the legs to paint 'oil kills' in giant letters.

The spokesman said a further 10 volunteers had occupied various parts of the operations deck, including the drill stack and the rig's helicopter deck.

Laura Yates, one of the volunteers on the rig, said: "Jet's oil is killing people and flooding homes, so we are stopping this rig from drilling for more.

"Our only hope of stopping our weather careering out of control is to leave three-quarters of the oil, coal and gas underground."

A Northern Constabulary spokeswoman said 11 Greenpeace activists - eight men and three women - were arrested as they attempted to board inflatable boats at Nairn Harbour in the Moray Firth.