A salvage team on board an oil rig grounded on the Western Isles has confirmed two of four fuel tanks on board have not been breached.

The Transocean Winner rig was carrying 280 tonnes of diesel - more than 300,000 litres - when it was blown ashore in severe weather conditions on the western side of the Isle of Lewis last week.

The semi-submersible installation detached from its tug the Alp Forward during towing from Norway to Malta and the weather prevented the line being reconnected.

READ MORE: Stranded salvage team to spend night on the Isle of Lewis

The rig is believed to have leaked more than 50,000 litres of fuel from two damaged fuel tanks, most of which is thought to have evaporated.

An eight-strong salvage team on board has found two remaining fuel tanks on the hull are intact and plans to transfer the diesel to tanks above the waterline.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "Another six people are set to join the team of salvors who are currently on board the drilling rig Transocean Winner today as part of the ongoing salvage operation.

"Smit Salvage has confirmed that the two diesel oil tanks in the hull are intact and plans are under way to transfer the contents - a total of 137 metric tonnes - using onboard pumping systems to other tanks above the water line.

"The salvors continue their damage assessment and preparation for the refloat.

"Transocean continues to check and restore equipment and other essential services.

READ MORE: Stranded salvage team to spend night on the Isle of Lewis

"An AugustaWestland AW139 helicopter is now based in Stornoway to support the operation.

"A second aircraft has also been mobilised and may arrive on the island later today.

"An exclusion zone of 300 metres remains in place around the rig covering the sea and air, which means no drones will be permitted in the area, providing a safe working area for the salvage team to work in.

"The Scottish Operational Environment Group continues to support and closely monitor the incident. There are no reports of pollution."

Bad weather has meant the salvage team has only briefly been able to board the vessel for checks but teams were able to use sea ropes to partially climb the structure on Saturday.

Rope access technicians have now created a safe alternative access after the prevailing weather conditions made it too difficult to winch the team down to the installation.

No-one was on board the rig when it grounded at Dalmore beach near Carloway in the early hours of Monday August 8.

READ MORE: Stranded salvage team to spend night on the Isle of Lewis

Environmental groups have raised concerns while it is expected to take ''some time'' to refloat the rig as it came ashore at high tide with a storm surge.

Scotland's Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said serious questions need to be asked as to why the rig was being towed during severe weather and Deputy First Minister John Swinney had raised the point with the UK Government.

The Western Isles Emergency Planning Co-ordinating Group said a public information meeting will be held in Carloway on Thursday.

A spokesman said: "The Secretary of State's representative for maritime and salvage, Hugh Shaw, and Transocean are now inviting the local community to a special public information meeting to be held at 8pm on Thursday 18th August at Carloway Community Centre, where the latest details about the salvage plan will be shared and questions answered."

He said the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency has found no sign of pollution in daily shoreline inspections but warned people to stay away from the area for their own safety as salvage operations continue.