A much-delayed attempt to bring the biggest vessel ever to sail into the Tyne has been postponed again.

Just hours before the 300,000 tonne Bonga floating oil platform was due to enter the river this morning, the operation was called off.

Hundreds of people were expected to turn out for the spectacle of the giant ship being negotiated the last few miles along the river to the Amec yard in Wallsend, North Tyneside.

The Bonga arrived last month after being towed 13,000 miles from South Korea but bad weather prevented it being brought up the river and it sheltered in Rotterdam.

The vessel will stay on Tyneside for 12 months to undergo a £300 million refit before being towed to the Bonga oilfield off Nigeria.

A spokesman for owners Shell said the next attempt to bring it up the river will not happen today.

He blamed last-minute preparations not being completed but vowed the Bonga will make it safely to Tyneside soon.