THE toxic ships sailing for a North-East port face another hurdle today - after local planners called on the Government to send them back to America.
Four rusting hulks from the US Naval Reserve fleet are en route to the Able UK yard at Hartlepool where they are due to be scrapped.
Environmentalists claim the ships, which are being towed across the Atlantic, pose a serious risk of pollution.
Yesterday Environment Minister Elliott Morley said the Government hoped they would return home until a planning row is resolved.
Today Hartlepool Council voted to request the Government use special powers to bar the ships from British waters.
Chief Executive Paul Walker said they should be returned to the US until the matter is resolved.
He said the council believed the ships would not be docking at Hartlepool.
Able UK denied there are any problems with its facilities and hopes the contracty, worth £11m, can still go ahead.
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