A BARGE which ran aground in Weymouth Bay has sparked pollution fears.

Heavy machinery and barrels of old engine oil fell into the sea after the Longsand ran aground at Bowleaze Cove.

Bird protection campaigners are fearful of the effect it could have on local populations.

RSPB spokesman Sophie Atherton said: "Weymouth Bay is not the sort of place where we would want this to

happen.

"It is a site of national importance to a number of species, including the red breasted merganser, and other

wintering species.

"Incidents like this are always an unknown quantity.

"We'd like to see the damage contained before any wintering birds are caught up in it."

The Longsand was being towed from Cowes to Plymouth by the Honduras-registered tug boat Lovly Jubly, which broke down off Portland Bill.

The hopper barge, which was also carrying railway sleepers and a digger, broke free from its moorings and ran aground after the tug stopped to make mechanical repairs.

Property developer Mick Burt, 66, of Greenhill, Weymouth, said: "I was sitting having coffee with my wife when I spotted this vessel with large cranes on the back in the Bay.

"I said: That's unusual' and thought it might have been a survey ship of some kind at first.

"The next minute one of the cranes, which was about four times the size of the one still on the barge, was gone. I saw the drums of oil falling off into the sea and phoned the coastguard, who said it was being handled."

Assistant chef at Café Oasis, Phil Emburey, 22, of Celandine Close, Weymouth, said: "The crane fell off and the whole thing started to tip over.

"It started to go shortly after I arrived for work.

"It's been a bit of entertainment in a way for the customers."

A spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said the crane which fell into the water was still attached to the vessel by a chain, causing it to list.

He added that a small oil sheen' came from the crane but began dispersing in Weymouth Bay.

Coastguard commander for Dorset Mark Rodaway said: "In deteriorating weather conditions the mooring lines broke off the barge.

"The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is aware of the situation."

He added that counter pollution officers got to work in the area straight away.

Today the barge was due to undergo a survey by divers before plans for its removal were agreed.

Borough council staff assisted the clean-up operation and Coun Kate Wheller, spokesman for tourism, said the council would be asking for an investigation into the incident.

All the barrels have been recovered.

The Longsand assisted in removing debris from the dredging of Weymouth's inner harbour in the 90s.