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Sharp chunks of metal torn off a stricken oil rig in the Western Isles may present a hidden danger to beach-goers.

Around 40 pieces of steel have already been found on the beach and seabed where the 17,600 tonne Transocean Winner oil rig ran aground.

Debris tore from the giant structure when it crashed into rocks at Dalmore Bay in Lewis in a summer storm on 8 August.

Chunks of oil rig debris found at beach  

30 August 2016

Other pieces of jagged steel broke off when the Transocean Winner platform was salvaged last week.

An exclusion zone remains in place to seaward at Dalmore Bay until a local team, working under the auspices of Hebrides Marine Services, remove all the known debris.

Many broken-off steel pieces have been collected already but other lumps are scattered amongst rocks.

A spokesperson for Hugh Shaw, the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvation and Intervention said sharp metal pieces may be hidden under the sand.

More debris from the rig may be washed up by stormy weather in the coming weeks.

Islanders and tourists are be advised to take care and inform coastguards if they come across metal objects on the sand.