The consortium intending to set up a freight service in competition to NorthLink say they have no plans to include Orkney in their scheme.

Norse Island Ferries involve three major haulage firms JBT, Shetland Transport and Northwards.

The companies decided to get together and start a rival shipping service because they were unhappy with the freight charges being proposed by NorthLink.

A spokesman confirmed today that Norse Island Ferries would be providing livestock shipping from Shetland because the three existing haulage companies already had customers in the agricultural industry who had requested cheaper rates for transporting animals.

Northwards have already bought the GLT livestock carriers formerly operated by P & O Scottish Ferries.