A weekend aimed at attracting more holiday-makers to the region has been organised by tourism bosses.

Coach and tour operators from all over Britain will flock to Captain Cook Country next weekend as part of a promotion organised by Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland Tourism.

As well as meeting up with the heads of local attractions and organisations, the firms will also have the chance to take part in a workshop at Hartlepool Historic Quay on the Friday night.

Thirty-one operators have already signed up for the event, which features visits to attractions such as the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum, the new Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre and the Saltburn Smugglers.

The guests will bring in immediate revenue by staying at the Teesside Posthouse and Middlesbrough Thistle hotels.

Lynne Maud, Middlesbrough's Tourism Officer, said the weekend should give the area's tourism profile an important boost.

"We are delighted by the response to the weekend and are looking forward to showing these key decision makers our superb hotels, attractions, shopping facilities and hospitality," she said.

"We know from previous weekends that once people visit here, they're hooked - they want to come back and bring their groups here."

The weekend has been timed to precede the Captain Cook Festival, which begins on October 20 and features re-enactments, musical events and a host of colourful activities