DIGNITARIES from North Yorkshire and County Durham visited one of the region's prized historical attractions yesterday.

The High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, Gerald Turton, and the High Sheriff of County Durham, Libby Smyth, joined the Mayor of Hartlepool Frank Rogers for a look around HMS Trincomalee.

The ship, berthed at Hartlepool marina, is being restored by experts.

The Trincomalee Trust, which is raising money for the restoration, is hoping to build a visitor's centre near the finished vessel to tell its long history.

Spokesman for the trust Bryn Hughes said: "Our visitors were looking at the work in progress on the ship.

"They had visited the historic quay and wanted to finish their visit with a look around the ship."

Work on the Trincomalee is continuing following an announcement last week that the Heritage Lottery Fund would give more money for the rest of the work.

Mr Hughes said: "We still have to find other bits of money, but this has given us a boost to finish the restoration work.

"We would like to thank everyone who has supported us in our bid to get continued lottery funding for this project."