The owner of two ships held at UK ports owes more than £175,000 to current and former crew, it is claimed.

The Malaviya Seven was detained at Aberdeen Harbour by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on Wednesday.

Officials said the Indian vessel will be held there "until all wages are paid and deficiencies are rectified".

The International Transport Federation claims its 15 crewmembers have not been paid in at least two months.

It says owner GOL Offshore owes over $250,000 to sailors who have served aboard the Malaviya Seven and its sister vessel the Malaviya 20, which is being held in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

The Malaviya Seven was contracted by BP between June 1 and June 15.

Seafarers' charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) is supporting its crew during their stay in Aberdeen.

AoS Aberdeen chaplain Doug Duncan said on Thursday: "I went on board the ship yesterday and spent most of the day there with the crew. They just want to get paid and go home.

"However, we fear that their ordeal could drag on for weeks, if not months, because of the huge amount of money involved.

"Their predicament is made worse as they are stranded miles away from their homes and family members."