The emergency clean-up operation launched as a result of a diesel oil spill in Hamilton Harbour on Tuesday has been successfully completed.

A Government spokeswoman said: “Members of the public may still notice a sheen that will eventually disappear.”

Some 1,400 litres of diesel is thought to have leaked during the refuelling of ferries off East Broadway near RenRe.

“Further to an assessment of the harbour east of the Marine and Ports Ferry Dock at lunchtime yesterday the absorbent boom and pads are being replaced again today,” she added.

“There is no free oil as a result of the clean-up activities to date.”

Marine and Ports officials disclosed earlier this week that the line “was thought to have been leaking for about 20 minutes during fuelling”.

A full review by the Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Health is pending.