RESIDENTS in Poole got a closer view of an offshore oil rig which had been anchored behind the cruise ships off Bournemouth beach.

It was spotted being towed near Shell Bay last night and is currently in Poole.

The JB 115 self-elevating platform is en route from Schiedam in the Netherlands to Morecambe Field, off the coast of Blackpool.

Its current status is listed as ‘restricted manoeuvrability’ and gale force winds are forecast from tonight.

The platform, which is 55.5m long and 32.2m wide, was built in 2009 and is sailing under the flag of the Bahamas.

Cruise ships Aurora and Anthem of the Seas remain anchored in the bay this morning.