SUPPORTERS of one of the region's heroes have failed to win him pride of place in London's Trafalgar Square.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar led a campaign to get a statue of Captain James Cook set on a plinth in the square.

The Government appointed a Vacant Plinth Advisory Group to decide which image should be permanently displayed on the empty plinth.

Pressure groups from all over the country sent petitions and letters to try to persuade them to chose figures ranging from Nelson Mandela and the Queen, to William Shakespeare and a pigeon.

Although 624 people suggested Captain Cook, the Women's Land Army and the Venerable Bede of Jarrow received more support.

it has been decided the plinth should be used as a display for various British sculptures.

Dr Kumar said: "I was disappointed that the idea of a Captain Cook statue has not been honoured. However, what was interesting, was the final table which showed the level of support for all the suggestions.

"Captain Cook came third in the overall total.

"I think this shows the support that exists in the Cleveland and North Yorkshire area for their famous son to be given recognition in the heart of the nations' capital."

Captain Cook was born in Marton and went to school in Great Ayton. He spent his early life in Staithes and Whitby.

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