Stranded offshore workers leave

The Energy Exerter rig is currently in the Barents Sea

Offshore oil and gas workers - many of them Scottish - who were stranded on a rig off the north coast of Russia, have finally started to leave.

The 43 workers had been due to leave the Energy Exerter drilling rig in the Barents Sea last week.

Their employer, Northern Offshore, said Russian authorities had now given permission to begin the crew change.

A total of 14 crew members have now left, and the crew change will be completed soon as possible.

Once onshore, the crew will be flown home to the UK, with the first expected home by Friday.

Northern Offshore general manager John Monks said: "We are very pleased that the crew is now on its way back to the UK.

"The welfare of our team is of paramount importance and getting the guys back onshore has been our priority.

"Once the crew change is complete, we will be able to start our drilling programme."