SUNDERLAND is to host the Tall Ships Race for the first time in 2018, it has been announced.

The event is expected to attract about a million visitors to the port at Wearside, providing a major boost for regional economy.

Although the race has recently been held in Newcastle and Hartlepool, it has never been held in Sunderland in its almost 60-year history.

Councillor Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “This is fantastic news that Sunderland has been chosen as a host port for The Tall Ships races in 2018.

“This success reflects the enthusiastic response from partners, organisations and individuals across the whole region who supported our bid.

“It shows once again our strengths for holding and hosting events such as The Sunderland International Airshow, stadium concerts and the Sunderland Illuminations."

The council worked with the Sunderland’s Music, Arts and Culture (Mac) Trust on the bid, which was submitted last month.

The Tall Ships Race, organised by Sail Training International, sees up to 100 vessels from about 20 countries sail to ports in European waters.

It is open to any mono-hull sailing vessel of more than 9.14m water line length, provided that at least 50 percent of the crew is aged between 15 and 25 years old and that the vessel meets strict safety equipment requirements.

Paul Bishop, head of the race directorate at Sail Training International, said: “There are a myriad of factors that need to be considered when selecting ports and planning a Tall Ships Race series and many people are brought into the process to bring in their expertise, knowledge and judgement.

"Planning for a new race series starts four years in advance and we are delighted with the Board of Directors choice of ports for 2018, which we are confident will all deliver high quality events with excellent support for sail training.

“We are always looking for opportunities to include new destinations in our race itinerary.”

Sunderland was once the largest shipbuilding town in the world and in recent years its seafront and riverside have undergone extensive award winning regeneration works.

By the end of this year there will be a new public space at the heart of the city centre ‘Keel Square’ complete with lighting and public realm pieces specially commissioned to celebrate Sunderland’s shipbuilding heritage.

Some of the proposed berthing areas will be where great sailing ships like the Adelaide and Torrens were built.

The Torrens was the fastest passenger clipper to cross from London to Adelaide in the latter part of the 19th century.

Mr Bishop said: “Sunderland has a great reputation for hosting large scale events and with its excellent location and the whole community behind them, I'm sure it will be a great success."