THE SOLENT is at risk of an environmental disaster because of the continued use of single hull tankers, says a protection watchdog.
Companies using the waters are being urged by Solent Protection Society to immediately abandon using the tankers to minimise the risk of a potential environmental nightmare.
Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner is backing the campaign by the society, which has already contacted companies and asked them to use only double hulled vessels - particularly to carry pollutants such as fuel and crude oil.
Under new legislation the old tankers will be outlawed from 2010, but in the meantime some European countries have banned the vessels.
A society spokesman said: "There need only be one collision or grounding to be faced with possible horrific pollution similar to that in Spain last winter."
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