A FALKLANDS War veteran who served on HMS Fearless during the conflict has vowed to sink the vessel if it is sold to Argentina.

Colin Waite, who has been trying to raise funds to save the ship, hit out after rumours that Brazil would sell Fearless to its neighbour if it was successful in buying it from the Royal Navy.

The possibility was highlighted by Shadow Defence Minister James Gray last week, and Mr Waite believes it would be "the biggest slap in the face" for the public.

Although he believes the latest Argentinian connection is "speculative", he said: "Any sale to that side of the water is going to be met with some trepidation, because they are next-door neighbours."

He said there was talk that Argentina was making a "concerted effort" to buy ships which would improve its landing force capability.

"I would be on the first plane over to sink it if they got their hands on it," he said.

"There would be quite a lot of people joining me, as well. It would be a major embarrassment to the Government."

Mr Waite, 43, of Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, said he had not received any response to e-mailed inquiries he has sent the Brazilian government regarding their plans for HMS Fearless.

His international appeal for funds to buy the ship brought in hundreds of pounds rather than the £2m needed, but he said talks with property developers still carry hope.

His aim would be to use the 37-year-old warship as the central point of a museum devoted to the Falklands conflict, sited in Gosport, Hampshire.

* For details of Mr Waite's Save the Fearless campaign, visit www.hmsfearless.co.uk