Picture gallery: Cornwall's stranded tanker

The Cornish village of Kingsand, near Plymouth, was evacuated after a 3,000-tonne petrol tanker became stranded on rocks on the night of 1 January 2002.

The MV Willy had discharged its cargo in Plymouth, but coastguards feared petrol vapours in its empty holds could be ignited, scattering metal shrapnel across a wide area.

The ship was finally re-floated on 11 January and towed to Falmouth, after a delicate operation to avoid spilling remaining fuel in an ecologically sensitive area. The unfolding story has produced dramatic pictures.

The ship dragged its anchors during a night-time storm

The 12 crew were able to wade ashore

Police set up an exclusion zone around the ship

An evacuation centre was set up for villagers

Some villagers ignored warnings not to return home

Waves have rolled straight across the ship's deck

Salvage experts risked going aboard at low tide

A salvage team assessed damage on board

A floating crane lifted salvage gear aboard

The ship was finally pulled clear on Friday, 11 January