A CELEBRATION of the discovery of Tahiti will take centre stage at Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance.

Organisers have secured £10,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the project – Billingham World Explorers.

The project, which focuses on celebrating 250th anniversary of Captain Samuel Wallis discovering of the island in 1767, features direct links to Captain James Cook, who was born in Marton.

The legendary explorer later followed Captain Wallis’s expedition when he discovered the Cook Islands in Polynesia.

This year’s festival, which take place from August 12 to 19, starts with a parade on Saturday.

Visit www.billinghamfestival.co.uk