Fathers 4 Justice campaigner Jason Hatch is back on the protest trail just days after writing a letter of apology to the Queen for his stunt at Buckingham Palace.

The 33-year-old Batman protester and colleague David Pyke, 43, have scaled a historic ship in Hartlepool Marina ahead of the town's by-election tomorrow night.

A spokesman for the group said the pair could remain on the ship until the by-election voting ends.

Dressed as Batman, the Fathers 4 Justice campaigner, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, used just a ladder to gain access to the Royal household and staged a five-hour balcony protest.

Today he has scaled HMS Trincomalee, a fully restored 1817 Navy frigate berthed in the town.

Mike Kelly, of Fathers 4 Justice, said the two men were prepared to stay up the masts until the election ends.

He said: ''Batman and Robin have arrived in Hartlepool and their message is simple.

''Fight crime by voting for Batman.

''They intend to stay on the ship for a long time. The by-election ends tomorrow night and who knows, they could be up there until then.''

The protesters are campaigning in support Fathers 4 Justice candidate Paul Watson who is contesting the Hartlepool by-election.

Last week, other campaigners from the group, scaled the Transporter Bridge, in neighbouring Middlesbrough, to launch Mr Watson's election campaign.