The Prestige, carrying about 20 million gallons of heavy fuel oil, split in two and sank on November 29 off the coast of northwest Spain.

As salvage workers, environmentalists and government officials levelled accusations over who was to blame, miles of coastline was coated in oil, devastating fishing, the wildlife and the local economy.

The sinking put the focus on shipping safety checks which are now being tightened in an attempt to avert a similar disaster. Meanwhile arguments continue as people count the cost of the Prestige.