STRANDED Russian sailors have abandoned their hunger strike - but say they will continue to protest against a lack of wages.

Two crew members of the Vismark Gloria, berthed beside Cammell Laird, South Bank, in Middlesbrough, refused food for six days in protest at being owed almost two months' wages.

They have relented because they said the hunger strike was having no effect on the ship's owner.

But chief engineer Anatoliy Ostashev and motor man Zeinal Zeinalov, and the rest of the crew, are still refusing to carry out the necessary repairs to make the ship seaworthy.

Yesterday, port chaplain Rosi Heimer spoke to the ship's owner, London company SHB Trading, on the sailors' behalf, and one of its managers promised to pay the outstanding wages within the next seven days. But Ms Heimer remains sceptical.

She said: "If some of the money comes, the crew will ask to be flown home.

"They are absolutely desperate, but they can't go home without any money as they would not get employment."

The crew, whose captain has now deserted it, went on strike last week after claiming that each member was paid just £90 for a month-and-a-half's work.

For some of them, who belonged to the original crew that arrived on Teesside last November, the situation marked the second time their wages had been withheld.

The ship's former Russian owner left the crew without food or money over Christmas after it was impounded by the admiralty marshal. Then, in January, the Vismark Gloria was sold, and most of its crew returned to Russia.

Ms Heimer said: "We've had a meeting involving the German Seaman's Mission, the Mission to Seafarers and the Apostle Ship of the Sea.

"Food and fuel were running out and the owner has promised to help, but it is always promises. They have agreed to wait until June 15 to see if any money comes forward."

Harry Brown, a manager at SHB Trading, said the crew is only due overtime pay.

"I think their only shortfall is in respect of overtime, and they haven't produced a list of what they are due," he said.

"We are at a bit of a loss to understand why they have resorted to the actions they have taken."