A COURT that is deciding whether nine former US Navy ships can be scrapped in the North-East is expected to announce its decision in the new year.

It had been thought that US Judge Rosemary Collyer was almost ready to deliver her verdict on the vessels, which make up part of an £11m contract won by Able UK, of Hartlepool.

But lawyers advising environmental groups in the US, who are challenging Able's right to tow the ships across the Atlantic and break them up, have admitted they have no idea when a verdict might be reached.

Lawyer Marcello Mollo, who represents Earth Justice, said: "No decision has yet been issued and we have not seen any indication from the court as to when a decision can be expected."

Judge Collyer has allowed four ships belonging to the US Maritime Administration to make the crossing to Able UK's Graythorp yard, although the company has yet to win permissions to start work on them.

Environmental group Ban says the ships are toxic and towing them across the sea is perilous and will also mean the loss of some US jobs.

Able boss Peter Stephenson described such fears as a "cynical manipulation on a massive scale".

He hopes to scrap more ships at Graythorp and has spoken of making Teesside a world-class centre for the ship dismantling industry.

Read more about the Ghost Ships campaign here.