AN MP is calling for a long-lost letter from explorer Captain Cook to be donated to the North-East.

Yesterday, The Northern Echo reported that the letter, which was hidden for more than 200 years, had been found by a valuer from auctioneers Bonhams, of London, in a Georgian house library in Norfolk.

The letter by the seaman informs the Admiralty of his safe return from his first, epic journey to Australia. It is thought to have been written in June 1771.

Bonhams hope the discovery could fetch up to £20,000 at auction.

But Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, believes the letter should be donated to the Captain Cook Museum, in Middlesbrough.

Cook was born in Marton, Middlesbrough, and spent part of his childhood in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, before travelling to Whitby and nearby Staithes.

Mr Kumar said: "It would be a grave blow to the Cleveland and North Yorkshire area if this archive letter was to be sold overseas, perhaps to a wealthy US university.

"Captain Cook was a true son of the area, born in Marton, educated in Great Ayton and learning his seamanship at Staithes and Whitby.

"In a moral sense this letter belongs to this area and to the people of this area - Cook's descendants.

"I feel Bonhams should not treat this find as a windfall, but donate the letter to the Captain Cook Museum sited on Cook's birthplace."

Last year, Mr Kumar led a campaign to secure the vacant plinth in London's Trafalgar Square for a statue of Captain Cook.

No one from Bonhams could be contacted for comment last night.