TOWNS and villages throughout "Captain Cook Country" are preparing to mark the 272nd anniversary of the birth of the area's most famous son.

At the White Swan pub, in Stokesley, owner Brian Skipp and local people will be raising their glasses to the 18th Century explorer, and drinking an ale brewed in his honour.

Mr Skipp has his own Captain Cook micro brewery, producing three different ales.

The brewery which only supplies the White Swan with beer, was launched at about the time of Captain Cook's anniversary, last year.

Mr Skipp's son, Jonathan, said: "At the moment he is looking to sell barrels elsewhere. We wanted to get the quality right before quantity. But, there will be celebrations in the pub."

Stokesley is a short distance from the village of Great Ayton, where Cook was educated.

The Captain Cook Tourism Association has coordinated a range of events designed to tell the explorer's story of adventure and discovery, taking place between October 20 and 29 in Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Marske, Great Ayton, Staithes and Whitby.

Dennis Weller of the association said: "We expect the event to become an annual celebration of our local hero's connections with the area, and a reminder to all of us what he achieved for his country and the world.

"Interest in the event has been shown from all around the United Kingdom, and of course, Australia and New Zealand.''

The main event of the celebration will be re-enactments of scenes from Cook's era, performed by military re-enactment groups in Stewart Park, Middlesbrough, on Saturday.

There will be a day-long festival on the replica of Cook's ship, the HM bark Endeavour, at Stockton, with costumed characters, songs, bands, smuggling tales and free entry to the ship