For Britain has an equally infamous record for off-loading toxic vessels in third world countries.

Last week, the Genova Bridge, a cargo ship used by the Ministry of Defence in the run-up to the Gulf War, docked in Alang, a port in Gujarat on the north west coast of India and home to the world's largest ship-breaking yard.

Because it carries toxic materials, campaigners claim the Genova Bridge's owners and the UK Government are in breach of international law by not disposing of it in this country. Built in Poland in 1980, the 18,000-ton ship was managed until now by London-based V Ships Commercial, one of the world's largest shipping operators.

Under the complicated international maritime system, the ship is owned by a Ukranian-Liberian firm but sails under a St Vincent and Grenadines flag. Ten other British ships have been dumped at Alang so far this year.

And local people, including dozens of children who play amid the ship graveyard, are left exposed to the hazardous waste on board. Cancer-causing asbestos is stripped by impoverished locals using their bare hands and left to dry in the sun before being sold.

Workers, who do not wear protective clothing, are also exposed to mercury, lead, arsenic and chromium poisoning. One in four of the 40,000 workers, on 65p a day, will die of cancer.

Despite our own shameful record, the British Government opposes the plan by Hartlepool firm Able UK to dismantle the 13 US Navy ships.

Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett said: "The proposed shipment of these vessels to Hartlepool for dismantling cannot be completed consistent with international rules."

But Greenpeace spokesman Ramapati Kumar said: "This is a classic case of double standards.

"While the UK authorities don't want US waste in their backyard they are happy to illegally dump their own elsewhere.

"They fail to ensure safe removal of toxic substances and safe conditions for the workers."