The 3,000-tonne petrol tanker stranded on rocks off Plymouth for a week could be refloated on Friday.

The grounding of the Cypriot-registered MV Willy led to 150 local people being moved out of their home to safety after fears the vapour-filled tanks could explode.

The vessel dragged anchor in Plymouth Sound in a 30-knot south-easterly gale on New Year's Day and grounded close to the Cornish villages of Cawsand and Kingsand.

The 1981-built vessel, whose 12 crew escaped unhurt, was carrying 93 tonnes of intermediate fuel oil, 41 tonnes of gas oil and fives tonnes of lubricating oil.

Cargo tanks

Salvage experts, who confirmed petrol vapour concentrations were no longer a risk, were completing removal of the oil, said the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The vessel's cargo tanks will be pumped full of compressed air to enable tugs to pull her away, said the MCA.

The vessel's owners were looking for a port to make temporary repairs, with Falmouth a likely destination, added the spokesman.