Fifteen colleagues of an oil services worker who died in Ghana are to be flown home.

But Global Resources played down claims of a mystery illness among staff in Ghana after the death of pipe fitter Keith McKintosh, from the Black Isle in Ross-shire.

The firm's chief executive Paul Wisely confirmed that some staff had complained of "minor" illnesses but said they did not appear to be related.

They are to return to Britain after requesting to do so on compassionate grounds after the death of Mr McKintosh.

None had "initially" requested to come home due to concerns about illness among the staff, Mr Wisely said.

"There have been a number of employees who have reported minor ailments, but there is no common thread to them," he said.

"These have ranged from sunburn and stomach ailments to mild malarial symptoms. Medical facilities and medical support are provided, and no Global employees were transported home from Ghana due to illness."

He added that the cause of Mr McKintosh's death was still under investigation. "We expect to hear the results of the post-mortem soon," he said.

His body will be repatriated as soon as possible, and a senior member of the company's management team has arrived in Ghana to offer support.

Nine men will fly out of Ghana over the weekend. One has already flown home and flights have been arranged out of Ghana for the remaining five employees. The firm said a "significant number" of staff remained in Ghana.