Union leaders have called on both the UK and Scottish Governments to make 'urgent interventions' to save the oil and gas sector in the North Sea.

It is understood 70,000 jobs have been lost in the industry since the price of oil began declining in January 2015.

Union Unite is now urging for further tax breaks to relieve pressure on the sector.

The organisation claims this will release 'crucial finance' to defend existing employment and skills.

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In addition, Unite is calling for a Scottish affairs committee inquiry to explore ways both governments can tackle the crisis.

Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty said that while the drop in oil was an "economic and employment disaster", interventions by both governments now will sustain the industry for future generations.

"We cannot sit back and hope for this crisis to settle because if we do that then there will be little left to work with and the oil and gas sector will go the same way as the coal industry," he said.

"Neither the Scottish or the wider UK economy can do without the employment value and dependable energy supplies that the North Sea delivers so both governments must act together and quickly."

(LM)