A possible deal between oil company Total and Shetland Islands Council has been delayed again after new information was submitted by the oil company last night and this morning.

Council convener Sandy Cluness adjourned this morning’s Full Council meeting at Lerwick Town Hall almost immediately to allow the council team to consider the fresh submissions, the last of which arrived at 8.30am, just half an hour before the meeting began.

A Fraserburgh fishing boat had to call into Lerwick Harbour twice this week after two of her crewmen were taken ill.

The Sunrise was 60 miles east of Lerwick on Monday night when the first man became ill, and after taking medical advice from the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary arrived at Lerwick at 3am on Tuesday.

The man was transferred by ambulance to the Gilbert Bain Hospital where he was later said to be in a stable condition.

Shetland Islands Council convener Sandy Cluness is hopeful a deal can be clinched with Total tomorrow morning to allow the oil company to site its £500 million gas terminal at Sullom Voe.

Following a day of negotiations between lawyers for both sides a Full Council meeting has been hastily arranged for 9am on Thursday to update councillors on the proposed lease agreement for using council-owned land.

Total has just announced the go-ahead for its Laggan and Tormore gas development west of Shetland, which it now estimates will cost nearly £2.5 billion.

Talks are continuing between oil company Total and Shetland Islands Council to try to reach a deal to allow the planned £500 million gas terminal to be built on community-owned land next to Sullom Voe.