BRITAIN'S first offshore off-licence was back in business yesterday off the North-East coast for the first time in more than a month.

Trade was said to be steady, despite Customs and Excise officials apparently patrolling the seas off Hartlepool in a boat and keeping a watchful eye on land.

The floating off-licence, which is anchored 13 miles off the Hartlepool coast in international waters, first opened in early July, but was quickly closed by Customs officials who confiscated its £150,000 stock of alcohol and tobacco.

The business is run by Phil Berriman, of Norton, Stockton, and lecturer Trevor Lyons, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. Mr Berriman remained on the mainland yesterday while Mr Lyons was at sea.

Mr Berriman said that, by midday, seven customers had visited the Cornish Maiden, even though a Customs cutter, with a crew of about six on board, had remained close to the off-licence, putting off some trippers.

He said: "It's like they are guarding us, it's ridiculous.

"Obviously, they will do everything in their power to stop us and I'm pushing them to the next stage."

A team of three Customs officers were also stationed in a people carrier by the quay, questioning the many pleasure-cruisers and fishermen who were arriving back in Hartlepool's bustling marina in the afternoon.

Customs said last night that no customers had been caught avoiding duty and no goods had been confiscated.

Mr Berriman, 46, said: "I think a lot of people are going to wait until the first day is over to see what has happened.

"But it has been steady and we have done all right, as far as I can tell."

An official at Hartlepool marina, who did not want to be named, said there were hundreds of boats berthed in local ports, with about 400 in Hartlepool alone, but he knew of no one who would admit to using the enterprise because they feared losing their boat.

He reckoned boats would be setting out from as far north as Seaham, County Durham, and as far south as Redcar.

He said: "If you are sailing 12 miles out to sea, having to go 20 or 30 miles down coast won't put you off."

Customers are given an information sheet when they reach the Cornish Maiden.

It sets out the entrepreneurs' view of the law, and customers are also offered the use of a legal team if they fall foul of the authorities.

A Customs spokesman said: "The legal position here is very clear. People who have not travelled to another country may not purchase excise goods outside UK territorial waters and return to the UK without paying UK excise duty on the full amount.

"Anyone who attempts to do so is committing an offence and their goods, and any vessel used to transport them, are liable to forfeiture.

"Anyone who knowingly assists someone to commit such an offence is themselves guilty of an offence and may be prosecuted.

"We have written to Mr Berriman explaining the legal position."