THE return of the Tall Ship's Race to the North-East looks set to be a record-breaker.
Next year, the event is coming to Newcastle and Gateshead -the only UK port that will host the race, along with Waterford, in Ireland, Cherbourg, in France, and Fredrikstad, in Norway.
The contest will be the climax of the Seabritain 2005 project, which starts with the bicentennial of the Battle of Trafalgar.
The last time Newcastle hosted the race, in 1993, it was the biggest visitor attraction of the year for the city and attracted a record number of entrants.
Newcastle City Council's Tall Ships manager, Phil Payne, said: "Captains will confirm their sailing plans for the Tall Ships Race in early 2005.
"But the signs are very good indeed that some of the biggest and the best tall ships in the world will be coming to the Tyne, for what will be a truly unforgettable, world-class event."
The Eagle, one of the biggest tall ships in the US, and Argentinian vessel Libertad have expressed an interest in taking part.
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