A NORTH Yorkshire village is preparing to honour its most famous son on the 275th anniversary of his birth later this month.

Children from Great Ayton are getting ready to launch hundreds of home-made boats for the annual Parade of Sail down the River Leven on Wednesday, October 29.

Their event will mark the birthday of explorer Captain James Cook, who was born on Teesside..

The quickest boat, and the best, will win prizes in the event, which starts at Low Green at 10.30am.

Organiser David Shields, Hambleton District Council tourism manager, said: "This event has become a permanent fixture in the Captain Cook diary, attracting entries from the young and old,"

"We hope as many people as possible will come along to join in the fun, whether sailing a boat or simply cheering on the entrants."

The week-long Cook-themed festival also includes dinner at Great Ayton's Royal Oak Hotel on Thursday, October 30, for which tickets will cost £18.

Away from the village, there will be a series of events along the North-East coast to celebrate the life of the great explorer.

They include a visit to Middlesbrough by the full-size replica of the HM Bark Endeavour, the ship which Cook captained on his most famous explorations.