Residents of the US Gulf Coast braced for more oil from a ruptured BP well to hit their beaches on Sunday as oil washed ashore at Panama City.

BP’s costs for the worst spill in US history appeared set to rise as a partner in the out-of-control well laid the blame at BP’s feet.

Britain stuck up for BP on Friday against American criticism over the oil spill, while the company ramped up efforts to siphon more crude oil.

The small town has been obsessed about all things <i>Star Trek</i> for as long as anyone here can remember.