ONE of the floating stars of the hit TV series Hornblower will be sailing into the region's waters today.

The tall ship Grand Turk is expected to arrive in the harbour at Scarborough at about 2pm for an 18-day visit.

During its stay the ship will be one of the main attractions at this year's Seafest celebrations from Friday, July 18, to Sunday, July 20.

On the Friday, the ship will play a key role in the start of the North Sea Yacht Race at 7.30pm from the west pier. Then it will be berthed on the north wharf and open to the public.

The Grand Turk is a replica of an 18th-century man-'o-war and was launched in Marmaris, Turkey, in August 1997.

During the building more than 250 cubic metres of timber was used, employing the skills of 60 local craftsmen and 30 specialist shipwrights, riggers and engineers from the UK.

The Grand Turk starred in Hornblower as both the British ship Indefatigable and the French ship Papillon. The dual role was achieved by painting one side red and the other side yellow.

Grand Turk will be one of a number of visiting vessels adding excitement to the resort's Seafest weekend.

Others include The Reaper, Audrey, the coble Margaret and the Walk the Plank theatre ship.

Seafest - a Scarborough celebration of all things nautical - will feature music, seafood cookery demonstrations, street entertainment, a beer marquee, children's entertainment, visiting vessels, and firework display.