A STATUE to Captain James Cook is to be erected in the town where he was born to honour the 18th century maritime explorer.

It is one of 20 new capital expenditure projects dreamt up by Middlesbrough councillors which mayor, Ray Mallon, has approved.

Mr Mallon said: “We will contribute £25,000 to the creation of a fund to establish a fitting tribute to Captain James Cook that recognises his contribution to the heritage of the town and acts as a catalyst for further external investment.” He thought told a council meeting at Middlesbrough Town Hall that it would cost a total of £150,000 to complete the statue.

Captain Cook, born in 1728 in the suburb of Marton, is famed for his exploits in Canada and North West America, the islands of the Pacific, New Zealand and Australia and as well as his voyages into waters of the Arctic and Antarctic.

Other schemes totalling £12.1m include creating free town centre WIFI access and developing new visitor facilities and attractions at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

He said investment will also be ploughed into Middlesbrough Theatre to improve the building and increase seating at a cost of £700,000 which he was confident would be match-funded.

Capital totalling £6.8m is also being spent on what Mr Mallon described as ‘money to save’ schemes which include replacing more than 15,000 street lights with LED fittings and installing renewable energy systems as well as LED lighting, heating and water efficiency measures into council buildings.

The additional projects will result in the council’s increased capital programme costing £174.1m.