Judges at the Supreme Court in London have started hearing a case which will determine whether nearly 30,000 Nigerians can seek compensation from the oil giant Shell for damage to land caused by a 2011 oil spill.

The communities from coastal areas in Bayelsa and Delta State said their land was badly damaged by the spill.

An earlier ruling by London’s Court of Appeal said the case had been brought too long after the leak had happened.

Under English law a complainant can sue for damages to property no longer than six years after an alleged incident.

The spill was about 120km (75 miles) off the coast of Nigeria and lasted several hours before the pipeline was closed and oil stopped.

At least 40,000 barrels leaked into the sea, making it one of the largest spills ever in Nigeria.

The Nigerian communities argue that the oil devastated their shoreline and has continued to cause widespread damage to their land and water supply and so they should be allowed to seek compensation.

A ruling is not expected for months.