VOLUNTEER GROUPS FROM ALL OVER BRITAIN ARE HEADING TO CORNWALL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO HELP IN THE BATTLE AGAINST THE BLACK SLUDGE OF CRUDE OIL ALREADY ON THE BEACHES, AND THE OIL STILL MOVING IN.

FIREMEN AND 800 TROOPS HAVE BEEN CONTINUING THE BATTLE ON THE BEACHES FOR SEVERAL DAYS, TRYING TO BREAK UP THE OIL INSHORE WITH DETERGENT BEFORE IT TOUCHES THE SAND OR HOSING IT OFF THE ONE-GOLDEN SANDS.

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTARY SERVICE, WHICH HELPED CLEAN UP THE OIL AND SLUDGE AFTER THE FLOODS IN FLORENCE LAST YEAR, HAS ALERTED 95 UNITS IN BRITAIN AND MANY IN EUROPE.

FIRE OFFICERS FROM SIX SOUTHERN COUNTIES ARE TRAVELLING TO CORNWALL TODAY TO HELP AND THE NATIONAL TRUST HAS OFFERED 40 MEN, LORRIES, VANS AND A FIRE ENGINE. MANY SOUTH COAST LOCAL AUTHORITIES, WHICH, LIKE CORNWALL, RELY HEAVILY ON SUMMER TOURISTS, HAVE OFFERED ASSISTANCE.

SEVERAL SEASIDE RESORT COUNCILS ARE MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR FLOATING BOOMS TO GO ACROSS THE ENTRANCES TO THEIR HARBOURS. SOME BOMBS WOULD BE SIMILAR TO THAT PROPOSED TO SURROUND THE TANKER TORREY CANYON BEFORE IT WAS BOMBED YESTERDAY BY BRITISH NAVY JETS.