Shipbreaking licences that could secure the future of Swan Hunter's troubled North Tyneside yard are expected to arrive next month.

Owner Jaap Kroese yesterday said he has been told the licences would arrive by February 19.

But the Dutch millionaire admitted he remained sceptical, after previously being told the licences would be approved by the Environment Agency in November.

He said: "I never get anything out of these people, the only thing they have said now is that it might be February 19."

The future of Swan's Wallsend site depends on securing the licences, which would allow the company to decommission up to 12 ships a year.

Mr Kroese is also still waiting to learn if Swans has won a lucrative deal with Dutch company NV Ecodock.

Last year, Swans was hoping to sign a contract with the company to set up a joint shipbreaking operation, creating about 250 jobs.

Mr Kroese said: "This has been going on for six months and they keep telling us it will be at the end of the month, but we don't know."

In December, Swans failed to land a major share of the £4bn Ministry of Defence aircraft carrier project.