FRENCH environmentalists will demonstrate in the North-East if they fail in a last-ditch attempt to prevent an asbestos-laden aircraft carrier setting sail for the region.

AE2D, an environmental group based in the port of Brest, where the Clemenceau is moored, will today go to court in an attempt to stop it leaving France.

It says Hartlepool company Able UK “does not have the skills and knowledge necessary to scrap the Clemenceau and safely remove the 700 tons of toxic asbestos remaining on board whilst respecting environment and work safety norms.”

French objectors plan to protest in Hartlepool, where the ship is bound for, if they fail to secure an injunction today. Representatives of AE2D and fellow environmental groups Mor Glaz and Andeva, which insist the ship should be scrapped in France, are expected to arrive on Teesside today. Earlier this month, the Clemenceau was granted the final permission it needs to leave France.

Able UK, which wants to scrap the 27,000-tonne carrier, is believed to have attached a British tug to the ship and is now waiting for four days of good weather before it brings it to the UK.

A lawyer for AE2D told a French newspaper: “The exportation of the Clemenceau also violates international laws governing the transfer from one state to another of toxic waste and war materials.”

A spokesman for Andeva said: “The original French operation to remove asbestos was carried out in a ludicrous fashion.

“It was a rushed job and workers probably spread asbestos dust all over the vessel and endangered the lives of other workers operating on the vessel.

“They took out only the asbestos that was visible and left the rest, which amounts to 700 tons of material.”

Jean Kennedy, of Friends of Hartlepool, which failed in its legal challenge over the Clemenceau, said the group was looking forward to those involved with the protests coming over.

Speaking to a French newspaper, Able UK boss Peter Stephenson said: “The demolition of the vessel will be carried out in two stages. Firstly the de-pollution, during which time we will remove the 700 tons of asbestos-contaminated material, and which will last five months.

“The actual demolition, which will be started during the de-pollution phase will last nine months.

“The Clemenceau will have totally disappeared by January 2010.

“The asbestos-contaminated parts will be buried at a dump situated close to the worksite, and the 24,000 tons of steel will be bought by the concern Corus.”

Able UK beat off competition from shipyards in France, Italy and Belgium to scrap the 50-year-old Clemenceau.