THE third of the Ghost Ships is expected to dock in the North-East today - to virtual silence.

Protestors will stay away from the mouth of the River Tees and the yard where it was brought to be dismantled.

Hundreds of people lined the coast when the first of the controversial former US navy ships arrived on the outskirts of Hartlepool a fortnight ago.

Campaigners greeted the arrival of the Caloosahatchee with banners, flour bombs, peashooters, plus a bottom-bearing display.

But there were no similar plans for the Canopus, a submarine repair vessel, which will be towed up the Tees today, or for the Compass Island tomorrow.

Geoff Lilley, one of the residents involved in the demonstration, said: "We made our feelings known last time and don't see the need to do it again.

"Everyone knows how we feel about these ships being dumped on us.

"Now, we are just waiting the outcome of the court cases to see what happens next."

A legal battle in the High Court next month will determine whether work to dismantle the four ships at the Able UK yard can go ahead, while a further nine will not be allowed to sail from the US until spring at the earliest.

Opponents claim that the ageing vessels, which contain asbestos, PCB chemicals and heavy oil, are an environmental risk, but industrialists insist they are safe.

Meanwhile, Friends of the Earth last night urged the Government to ensure that an independent assessment was carried out to identify the least environmentally-damaging option for disposal of the four ships.

It is calling on the Government to develop a national plan for the scrapping of ships, following revelations that some 2,000 vessels worldwide are destined for scrap in coming years.

* To read more about the Ghost Ships, log on to: www.ghostships.co.uk