THE spectacular star of the ITV1 series Hornblower is to return to the region in the summer.

The three-masted frigate Grand Turk will be sailing into Scarborough for the annual Seafest celebrations, in July.

The vessel will then sail to Whitby for an extended visit, from the end of July until September.

Grand Turk will be berthed in Scarborough between July 10 and 28, much to the delight of the local council.

Michael Pitts, cabinet member for economic development and harbours, said: "In the past, we have had the disappointment of not being able to have HM Bark Endeavour in Scarborough because our harbour cannot accommodate it for technical reasons.

"This is very good news for Seafest, but it is also excellent news for the harbour and for Scarborough in general, as the Grand Turk will prove a major draw for visitors.

"This is the first time for many years that we will have a genuine tall ship in Scarborough harbour and I expect the tall masts of the Grand Turk to be a majestic sight."

The cabinet member for tourism, David Jeffels, said: "We have always looked on rather enviously when the Endeavour visited Whitby, and it will be a brilliant attraction for Scarborough to have a tall ship in the harbour for a period including Seafest."

The Grand Turk is a replica of a late 18th Century naval frigate. It is 46.3m in overall length and has a beam of 10.36m and a draught of just over 3m. It has a crew of 16.