Salvagers are preparing to tow part of the stricken cargo ship MSC Napoli from Devon to Belfast for recycling. The damaged ship, which was beached off Sidmouth in January, was split in two after a series of explosions last month.

The stern of the 62,000 tonne ship remains grounded but the bow section is expected to be towed to a Belfast shipyard later this week where it will be broken up. Tenders have already been received for the disposal of the stern section which will be dismantled offshore and the metal recycled.

The salvage operation has cost more than £50m to date.