SIX crew have escaped injury after their cargo ship ran aground off the Orkney Islands.

The 292ft Priscilla ran into problems at 3.30am on Pentland Skerries.

Thurso RNLI and a tug Green Isle were first on the scene and attempts have are being made to refloat the vessel at mid-afternoon, before high tide.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the crew had reported no significant damage and there was no sign of pollution.

Kaimes Beasley, duty controller for HM Coastguard, said there was no risk to life.

She said: "The crew are safe and well.  

"The weather conditions on scene are relatively calm for this type of operation and we will provide further updates as the situation unfolds."

The MCA said that the destination of the vessel "for inspection and assessment is still under review".

Priscilla is a nine-year-old Rotterdam-based vessel owned by Royal Wagenborg, an international shipping company that operates a modern fleet of 173 vessels.