Activists sabotaged a specialist drilling rig and other machinery in Mainshill Wood on Saturday night.

Cables were cut, controls damaged, levers busted, locks glued, windows broken, lights smashed. There were no injuries or arrests.

The specialist drilling rig, owned by Apex Drilling Services, is performing an essential role for Scottish Coal. This action may stop their work for a considerable time while repairs are made.

The drilling rig takes core samples of the rocks under the woods, to determine rock types and amounts of minerals present. This is work that needs to be completed before coal can be excavated from Mainshill.

Scottish Coal have agreed to pay for any damage to the contractors expensive machinery while working at the Mainshill site.