Oil clean up at Sinclair's Bay, Wick

The public is being advised to keep off the beach at Sinclair's Bay, near Wick, following the discovery of tar balls, which have been washed up along the length of the shoreline.
 
The Highland Council is working with other agencies to clean up the beach.
 
There is no evidence of oiling of birds or other wildlife.
 
A spokesman said: “This is not a major incident. However, we have erected signs at either end of the beach advising the public to keep off until we have completed the clean up, which involves collecting the tar balls by hand.  We will be working with the Maritime Coastguard Agency to identify the origin of the oil, which appears to have been at sea for some time.  We are also checking other nearby beaches for evidence of these balls of oil.”