An attempt is to be made to refloat a ship which ran aground on the Scottish island of St Kilda.

Two tugs are on their way from Holland to the aid of the Electron, which hit the rocks on Sunday.

The supply vessel was carrying 45,000 litres of red diesel and 78,000 litres of lubricating oil on board.

St Kilda is owned by The National Trust for Scotland and is a world-renowned nature and bird life haven.

There has been no pollution so far but a potential danger from an oil spill remains.

The trust hopes fuel, lubricants and cargo intended for the vessel's return journey will be removed to storage on St Kilda before the vessel is salvaged.

The tugs are expected to arrive on Saturday at the Village Bay inlet on the east coast of Hirta, the main island in the group, 50 miles west of the Outer Hebrides.

Fifteen people were rescued by helicopter after the ship ran aground in severe weather.

There was no indication of damage to the 1,600-tonne vessel but coastguards said there were worries over its cargo.