Submarine to be checked for damage

A NUCLEAR-POWERED submarine which ran aground on a shingle bank, embarrassing the Royal Navy, will be checked for damage today.

HMS Astute was on sea trials when the vessel's rudder became stuck on the bank on the west coast of Scotland at around 8am yesterday.

It is believed a crew transfer from the shore to the submarine was being carried out when the incident happened between the Isle of Skye and the mainland. There were no reports of any injuries and the Ministry of Defence said it was not a "nuclear incident".

The vessel, described by the Navy as the UK's most powerful attack submarine, was towed free by a tug at around 6pm and sailed to deep water under its own power.

Today damage to the submarine will be assessed to determine whether it can return to Faslane naval base on the Clyde under its own power.