THE relaunch of a controversial offshore off-licence could be set back a day, due to bad weather at sea.

Businessman Philip Berriman had planned to re-open his floating cigarettes and alcohol store today, moored about 14 miles off Hartlepool.

His yacht, the Cornish Maiden, was due back from Ostend last night, where it was loaded up with goods.

But conditions in the North Sea were rough and Mr Berriman said he may not be back in business until tomorrow.

"The journey back from Ostend could take two or three days, depending on the weather," he said.

Mr Berriman, 46, ran foul of Customs officials last month.

They impounded £150,000 of alcohol and cigarettes from his yacht, Cornish Maiden, but later released the goods.

Mr Berriman, of Norton, Stockton, remains undeterred, claiming there is a loophole in the law, that allows him to buy duty-paid alcohol and cigarettes bought in other EU countries and sell them in international waters with out the buyers having to pay the duty again.

His lawyers have told him he is doing nothing illegal but Customs and Excise officers have repeatedly stated customers must travel to another country to buy goods.

He is hoping for a return to the levels of trade that saw him make £10,000 in his first few days.