Ghost ships due in Channel

The two contaminated former US Navy ships at the centre of an environmental row are expected to arrive in the Channel soon.

The Canopus and Caloosahatchee, tainted by chemicals, are being towed across the Atlantic and are due to go through the Channel on their journey to a breaker's yard in Hartlepool, UK.

Plans to dismantle the ships at Able UK's yard were shelved after the proposal was deemed to flout international rules.

But Peter Stephenson, Able's managing director said a final decision on whether the work could take place would be made after a judicial review scheduled for next month.

It is estimated the first ship will dock at the north east port on Tuesday with the second arriving on Wednesday.

Last Wednesday Britain's High Court in London blocked any work on the ships when they arrive after Friends of the Earth and three individuals brought an action against Able.

Mr Justice Maurice Kay granted an injunction preventing work from starting until at least next month when key legal challenges will be heard.

Speaking on BBC Radio Cleveland, Mr Stephenson said the future of the ships would be determined after the legal challenges had taken place.

"There'll be actually no decisions made on whether the work can be undertaken at our facility - or what's going to happen with them - until after the two judicial reviews, as we understand it," he said.

A spokesman for Falmouth Coastguard said: "They are still in the Atlantic but approaching the south west. They should be in the Channel today."