A ROW broke out last night over claims that condemned US warships heading to the North-East to be scrapped could be left to wallow in heavy seas if storms or bad weather delay their entry into the Tees.

Durham County Council said the ships would pose an environmental risk if they were unable to reach the yard where they are to be dismantled by Hartlepool company Able UK.

The authority spoke out after the Environment Agency confirmed that bad weather could pose problems for the two ships which are already en route from the James River, in Virginia.

Craig McGarvey, area manager for the Environment Agency, said that if entry into the port is delayed by bad weather or the tide, the ships would have to lie offshore attached to the sea-going tugs which towed them across the Atlantic.

While the agency said it would not be left without support, Durham County Council environment chiefs said the risk of coastal pollution from the rusting hulks remained "very real".

Durham County Council's cabinet member for the environment, Bob Pendlebury, said there was a potential for problems to arise if they had to ride out rough seas and stormy weather offshore before being able to enter the port.

"If they are left to wallow in heavy seas for any length of time, the potential for them to be damaged is all too clear.

"Bearing in mind the toxic materials they have on board, they could still pose a serious environmental threat to the North-East coast line."

Coun Pendlebury, who is also chairman of the Northumbria Tourist Board, said the council would be discussing the matter further with the Tees Harbour Master and the Met Office to assess the risks of bad weather adding a further dimension to problems already posed by the ships' arrival.

Able UK rejected the authority's concerns as groundless last night.

Managing director Peter Stephenson said: "This is not the first time that Durham County Council has made exaggerated and unjustifiable claims and it is not the first time that they have been totally wrong.

"The facts are that these vessels are being moved by an internationally-renowned towing company with highly experienced crews who will plan the speed and arrival time in order to ensure that they arrive at the correct state of tide to gain immediate access to our facility.

"These vessels, like all ships, have the ability to ride out rough seas and stormy weather. The only difference between these and most of the other vessels which operate in and out of the Tees every day of the year is that they will not have a cargo of liquids or materials which could pose pollution problems."

The company has a deal with the US government for the disposal of 13 unwanted vessels from the US Naval Reserve. Another two are due to sail any day. The rest will not be moved until next spring.