Florida state of emergency

The Governor of Florida Charlie Crist has declared a state of emergency as a result of the oil spill off the Louisiana coast.



The order covers Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay and Gulf counties.



Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has already declared a state of emergency in that state.



US authorities say the slick from the wreck of the rig has begun to reach the Louisiana shore.



Meanwhile, an oil drilling ban has been imposed in new areas of the US coast while the cause of the oil spill off Louisiana is investigated.



White House adviser David Axelrod says no additional drilling has been authorised and none will be until the cause of the spill has been ascertained.