1.
Air View oil slick - white cliffs of Dover in B/G (2 shots)
0.13

2.
Air View oil slick (2 shots)
0.26

3.
SV Men on deck of boat spraying detergent onto sea
0.35

4.
MV & CU Oil on water partly emulsified
0.45

5.
SV Pan men spraying
0.51

6.
SV & SCU Detergent spray head (2 shots)
1.00

7.
SCU Oil in shallow water
1.04

8.
MV Waves breaking on shore
1.09

9.
TV workmen spraying oil deposits on beach
1.22

10.
CU Patch of oil on beach
1.23

11.
CU Oil on beach steps
1.28



Initials SGM/0355 CM/OS/357



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Anti-pollution squads were on Wednesday fighting two huge oil slicks at opposite ends of England.

This coverage is of the detergent-spraying operations off the white cliffs of Dover on the southeast cost, where a slick 40 miles (64 kms) long kept a flotilla of trade Ministry boats and two British navy vessels busy all day. The other reported oil slick was sighted only half a mile (.8 kms) off the northeast coast resort of Blackpool.

Reports late on Wednesday night said the southeast coast slick was being blown in the direction of northeast France by a force four gale, and French authorities have been alerted.

The British Department of Trade reported that in some of the worst spots between Folkstone and Dover the oil had already begun to come ashore. Spraying has begun to protect resort beaches, with the Easter holiday only a few days away.

SYNOPSIS: Off the white cliffs of Dover on the southeast coast of England an oil-slick 40 miles (64 kms) long caused grave concern on Wednesday. Local councils at resorts on the Kent and Sussex coasts were worried abut the pollution threat as reports came in that the oil slick represented the biggest concentration of oil ever seen in the area.

After a conference between local councils and Government officials, spraying began in the early morning from tugs of the Royal Navy and Trade Ministry boats. Local fishing boats have also joined in the operation.

Reports late on Wednesday night said the southeast coast slick was being blown in the direction of northeast France by a force 4 gale, and french authorities have been alerted.

Members of Parliament have urged the Government to have further talk with the French, Dutch, and Belgian governments about incapacitated ships in the Channel and the North Sea. They also want better controls and regulations for shipping in these waters.

The British Department of Trade reported during the day that in some of the worst affected coastal areas between Folkestone and Dover the oil had already begun to come ashore and with the Easter holiday only a few days away spraying has begun to protect report beaches.

At the town of Walmer, where beaches are already badly polluted, people are said to be living behind tightly closed windows to try and keep the stench from their homes.