ORGANISERS of the Tall Ships race, which sails into the North-East in just over a year are hoping to enlist help promoting the event - with free car stickers.

The Tall Ships event will be hosted by Newcastle and Gateshead from July 25 to 28 next year.

Newcastle City Council Tall Ships manager Phil Payne said: "The sticker campaign is a great way of enabling people to show their support for this fantastic free event, which is expected to attract over one million visitors.

"By putting the stickers in their cars, local people and visitors can help us promote the fact that the spectacular Tall Ships Race will be coming to Newcastle and Gateshead in summer 2005.

"In particular anyone driving their car while on holiday either in this country or abroad could really help us spread the word about the event to thousands of potential visitors."

The stickers will be available from today at Tourist Information Centres in Newcastle and Gateshead.