A STATUE of James Cook looked down on the fishing port of Whitby last night as a replica of his ship glided magnificently into the harbour.

If his spirit was watching the scenes of welcome, perhaps the seafaring adventurer would have smiled at the legacy he has left the town where he grew up.

About 10,000 people lined Whitby's harbour walls to welcome HM Bark Endeavour.

After waiting for the tide to turn for more than an hour, the ship's bows finally turned towards port at 8pm. As church bells rang out to welcome it home, a 30-strong flotilla of small boats and pleasure craft hustled around the Endeavour as it glided into dock.

As the crew disembarked, their first duty was to take part in a ceremony chosen to symbolise the ship's links with the town.

A rope was run from Endeavour to the railway station, where it met another from the Colosseum Unit for people with special needs.

The two ropes were then firmly tied together and the knot cut away to mark a permanent link between the ship and the local community.

A formal civic welcome was followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

The ship's arrival is also the signal for the start of a festival which now runs into July, when, once again, the ship will return to the open sea.

A flower festival, a science weekend offering an insight into the town's maritime history, and live music and dance are among the attractions.

Children will also be making the most of Endeavour's third visit to the town to design murals depicting the harbour - with the best winning its creators a tour of the ship.

"The Endeavour certainly pushes visitor numbers up, and the ship is held in great affection by the town," said Councillor Jane Kenyon, who represents Whitby on North Yorkshire county and Scarborough borough councils.

"Of course, there is a real benefit for the local economy but, beyond that, the ship really does help establish the town on the international map, underlining its heritage and therefore attracting people who want to know more about its history as a port."

Julian Hicks, of the Endeavour Trust, said: "Although the crew are largely Australian or New Zealanders, they do have a place in their hearts for Whitby."

Once leaving Whitby, the Endeavour sails to Middlesbrough where it will stay from Saturday, October 18, until Sunday, November 2, and then on to Newcastle, docking on Saturday, November 22, and sailing on Sunday, November 30.

Admission is £7 for adults, with a concessionary rate of £5. Children's tickets cost £4 and a family ticket is £18.

For more information on bookings, call 08707 458958.