A CAMPAIGN has been launched to attract some of the world's most spectacular tall ships to Teesside.
Nineteen thousand people converged on Middlesbrough's waterfront to see a replica of explorer Captain James Cook's ship, the Endeavour, visit the town in October 2003.
Building on that success, communities and organisations are hoping to attract the best of the world's tall ships in the summer.
Sixty skippers and ships' owners are being invited to stop off at Middlesbrough and Hartlepool on their way to the Tall Ships Race at Newcastle, at the end of July.
The invitations are being sent by Tees Valley Tourism Bureau, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool Councils, English Partnerships, Hartlepool Marina, Teesport owner PD Teesport, and Tees Valley Regeneration.
Judith Croft, of Middlesbrough Council, said: "The tall ships head for Newcastle in July, their previous venue being Cherbourg. Between France and Newcastle, there is an opportunity for us."
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