TEESSIDE'S most famous son is to be celebrated in song and fun - despite a question mark hanging over his principal achievement.

The discovery of the remains of a 1650s Portuguese ship buried in sand on Queensland's Fraser Island could mean Iberian sailors beat explorer Captain James Cook to the discovery of Australia 100 years before he claimed it for Britain.

Even so, the mariner from Marton, Middlesbrough, was born 274 years ago this month and the anniversary is being used as an excuse for an area-wide family knees up.

A spokesman for Middlesbrough Council said: "It's a very interesting find but it does not diminish Cook's achievements in any way. It is not a case of who does what first; it's a case of an individual's impact on society, culture and the geography of their time.

"The main thing is it's not simply finding it, but what occurred after that. You do not look at one incident. Cook made a number of voyages and navigations and we would look at how his endeavours helped shape the world."

He said: "We don't get ourselves tremendously excited about new findings. History does not stand still."

Museum curator and Cook enthusiast Ian Stubbs, dressed in replica 18th Century naval uniform and regalia, made a guest appearance as the great man at yesterday's launch of plans for a Captain Cook Festival.

Middlesbrough Council entertainment and events manager, Judith Croft, said: "The Captain Cook Festival offers a full week of family fun, music and songs of the sea. As it coincides with the autumn half term holiday, it is attracting a lot of interest from tour operators across the country, boosting local jobs and economic regeneration."

She said: "We believe we've brought together a varied and imaginative programme which will let visitors see Cook's achievements and experience our local maritime heritage.''

Of the Queensland find, archaeologist Greg Jeffreys said: "We're 99.9 per cent sure we've got something which will rewrite the history books."