A cruise ship bound for Bermuda has had to bypass the Island due to Hurricane Omar.

The Amadea was due to arrive in Hamilton on Thursday but will now travel directly to the US due to stormy weather.

There were no details on passenger numbers last night but the 190 metre-long vessel has 300 cabins with a capacity for 600 people. The Bahamian-registered ship has a 28,856 tonnage.

Bermuda Maritime Operations was notified of the liner's re-routing at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday.

A spokesman said: "The ship was due but has now bypassed Bermuda because of the storm. It has had to take an alternate course due to Hurricane Omar."

The vessel began its journey at Ponta Delgada in the Azores and was due to visit Bermuda en route for the US.

Hurricane Omar was listed as a Category One storm at the weekend and was 670 miles southeast of Bermuda on Friday. Forecasters say it is expected to dissipate over the next few days.