ONE of the region's busiest ports has appointed a new harbourmaster.

Captain Mike Nicholson takes up the post at the Port of Tyne.

Capt Nicholson, who was born in Lanchester, near Consett, said one of his earliest memories was of crossing the River Tyne on a ferry to go to the seaside.

A master mariner for 15 years, he started his sea career with Shell. He became a pilot on the River Humber, a post he held for eight years, before moving north to become harbourmaster at Seaham.

Since joining the Port of Tyne, he has overseen the departure of the giant Bonga vessel and is now taking an instrumental role in planning the Tall Ships Race 2005.