A CROWDFUNDING bid to create the North-East's first underwater archaeological dive trail, exploring the historic Gun Rocks wreck site, has been launched.

Nic Faulks, from the Tyneside branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) wants to raise £1,000 to attract more scuba diving tourists to the area to help unlock a maritime mystery.

It comes as the 40-year-old ecological consultant and diving officer from Northumberland was appointed one of Britain’s first Wreck Champions by the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC).

The accolade is in recognition of six years of dedication to the award-winning Gun Rocks project, which was established in 1970 when divers from the 114 Tyneside branch discovered what’s thought to be an 18th century Dutch vessel at the site off the Farne Islands.

A collection of forgotten cannons was also found at the spot off the rugged coast and now Ms Faulks is hoping a new dive trail will lure enthusiasts wanting to help unlock its secrets.

The cannons, which lie on the bed of the North Sea in eight to ten metres of water, have already been mapped out as part of the trail, which is suitable for amateur divers.

Ms Faulks said: “We believe a Dutch vessel was carrying cannons back to Holland for recycling. It would seem likely it was blown off course and foundered on Gun Rocks.

“We simply do not know what the name of the ship was and there is nothing left of the vessel which would have been made of wood.

“Being in relatively shallow water it will have been pounded by the sea over many years and basically disintegrated.

“There are six cannons at one site, 13 at another. There were Swedish and British cannons on board.”

Ms Faulks said although the vessel has gone, some artefacts remain including some 17th century German pottery.

She added: “The advantage we have now is 3D imaging which gives us the ability to fully map the whole seabed.

“So we thought it would be a good idea to create a dive trail to get more people who are keen on diving to help discover all we can about this important wreck site.”

Work done by Wessex Archaeology, on behalf of Historic England, resulted in the discovery of a further six cannons a short distance from the original site where 13 cannons had already been found.

There are around 40,000 wrecks lying in UK waters, including around 100 that have special protection and so permission must be sought to dive on them.

BSAC upholds the ethos of the Respect our Wrecks initiative which encourages responsible scuba diving, to ensure wrecks are preserved and lasting resting places are given due respect.

Jane Maddocks, BSAC’s Wrecks and Underwater Cultural Heritage advisor and a national diving instructor, said: "Nic is a fantastic ambassador for responsible UK wreck diving.

“Her idea and aim to create a dive trail for the Gun Rocks project is an excellent idea.

“It’s important the legacy of these dives is spread far and wide to inform future generations about our underwater heritage.”

To make a donation visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/user/nicfaulks/dashboard/dive-trail-gun-rocks-farne-islands before November 30.