Oil slick approaches Florida coastline

THE giant Gulf of Mexico oil slick was last night closing in on the pristine Florida coast, as deep sea robotic submarines hit a new snag in BP’s latest bid to contain the spill.

Forecasters said it was virtually certain Florida’s panhandle, a major draw for tourists from around the world, would be hit by the spill this week.

A Florida official said the latest official projections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) show the slick to be about seven miles off the state’s shores.