A FLEET of obsolete US warships heading for the North-East has escaped relatively unscathed after being hit by Hurricane Isabel.

The US Coastguard said one of the dilapidated vessels was listing slightly while another had rotated 60 degrees after gusts of more than 80mph hit the James River, in Virginia, over the past two days.

The wind was so strong it dragged the fleet away from their mooring, despite being lashed together with wires and the presence of a $7m steel anchor system 35ft deep in the river bed.

No pollutants are thought to have entered the water and the coastguard is planning to tow the boats back to their original spot, but it was not revealed how far they moved.

US Coastguard chief of investigation Jerry Crook said: "The most critical thing now is to find out why The Gilmour is listing."

Meanwhile, Hartlepool Borough Council is still considering whether Able UK can bring the fleet to Hartlepool for dismantling after withdrawing the planning application for a dry dock.

The company are relying on the legitimacy of previous permissions to recycle the ships.

Green MEPS from the UK, Ireland, France and Belgium have written to environment commissioner Margot Wallstrom to clarify the EU's stance on the UK importing the ships, as they are expected to pass through their waters.