North East prepares for Storm Caroline
Aberdeen's Christmas Market and the Ninian South North Sea Platform are both being shut down as a precaution
Last updated 6th Dec 2017
Storm Caroline has forced the closure of a Christmas market in north-east Scotland.
The Aberdeen Christmas Village will shut on Thursday until at least 5pm, when organisers will assess if it is safe to reopen.
It comes after the Met Office raised the level of its weather warning from yellow to amber “be prepared” for northern Scotland on Thursday, with chances of very windy weather.
A spokesman for Aberdeen Inspired, which organises the event, said:
“Due to the adverse weather predicted for Thursday, Aberdeen Christmas Village will be closed throughout the day until 5pm.
“Conditions will be assessed for reopening then and we will provide an update as soon as possible.
“The safety and care of the public is our top priority, we are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.”
The market was relocated to the city's Broad Street this year, having previously been staged next to Union Terrace Gardens.
It includes stalls, rides and an ice rink.
Meanwhile, production has been shut down on a North Sea platform after Storm Caroline safety fears forced all workers to be removed.
A total of 69 of the 159 staff on Ninian South, about 240 miles from Aberdeen, were taken off the structure as a precaution on Tuesday.
However, with forecasters raising their weather warning to amber, CNR decided to fully downman the platform.
A CNR International spokeswoman said: “In order to ensure the safety of all personnel on board, as storm conditions are forecast for the coming days, the company has taken the proactive decision to shut down production this morning and fully downman Ninian Southern today as a precaution.
“The safety of the personnel on board the platform is of paramount importance for the company.”
There are currently 54 personnel still on board, who will later be removed.