ASPIRING young sailors are being offered the chance of a lifetime to take part in the Tall Ships race this year.

Places are available to sail on the region's training boat James Cook, which is taking part in the festival of sail in July.

The vessel will recreate one of the first voyages made by the great explorer, taking coals from Tyneside to London.

The James Cook Coal Run will leave Newcastle on Friday, July 1, and will end at the National Maritime Museum, London, on Wednesday, July 6.

A new crew will take over the vessel to sail to Cherbourg and escort the other Tall Ships to Newcastle.

Finally, the ship will race from Fredrikstad, in Norway, to Newcastle via the Shetland Islands.

Places are still available for all three legs of the journey, and more details are available at www.sailjamescook.com or on 0870 241 6789.

Skipper Steve Lennon said: "The James Cook Coal Run Voyage is a celebration of the North-East's contribution to Britain's seafaring heritage and a great insight into how James Cook learned his seafaring trade as an 18-year-old apprentice sailor.

"The voyage from Fredrikstad to the Shetland Isles will be a fantastic North Sea crossing. You do not need any previous experience to sail with us."