[2] POISON SEAS; Cancer fear as tanker sinks.

A HUGE eco-disaster was feared last night after a tanker carrying 6,000 tonnes of poisonous chemicals sank in the Channel.

The stricken levoli Sun's cargo included 4,000 tonnes of styrene, which is believed to cause cancer.

Greenpeace said: "If this leaks into the sea, we could have a major tragedy.

"This chemical is very hard to trace and anything that comes into contact with it will not survive. If it reaches the coast, there could be serious implications."

Last night, it emerged that the 11-year-old vessel had been detained three times for safety defects - the third time only days before it sank.

French coastguards said there was no immediate sign of leakage.

Styrene, a highly corrosive hydrocarbon used for making synthetic plastics, does not dissolve in water. If it escapes, it should float to the surface.

Greenpeace researcher Paul Johnston said: "If it doesn't escape immediately, the authorities should think about salvaging the vessel." Strong currents would make any attempt extremely difficult.

The Italian-owned levoli Sun sank 11 miles off Alderney while under tow. It was being taken to Cherbourg after its hull was holed in heavy seas.

Its 14 crew were evacuated by helicopter on Monday.

The ship was on its way from Fawley, Hants, to Genoa. It was also loaded with the solvent methyl ethyl ketone and isopropyl rubbing alcohol.

Days earlier, the levoli Sun was held in the Dutch port of Moerduk after faults were found with liferaft, electrical and firefighting equipment.

A Safety Radio Certificate had also expired.

French Transport Minister Jean-Claude Gayssot said the vessel would have been banned from EU waters if tighter security measures proposed by France were in effect.

Green campaigners said yesterday that the area where it sank was a dumping ground for radioactive and chemical waste and wartime munitions.

Naples-based shipowners Marnavi refused to comment.

France is still reeling from a 15,000 tonne oil spill a year ago when the Maltese- registered Erika broke off the Brittany coast polluting beaches, wrecking tourist trade and destroying wildlife.