THE replica of an historic ship is due to undergo a £750,000 refit before setting sail next year from Stockton to its new home in Whitby – where the original was built.

HM Bark Endeavour, which is one of only two full-scale replicas in the world of the ship commanded by explorer Captain James Cook for his voyage to Australia and New Zealand, was bought by a partnership led by Whitby businessman Andrew Fiddler.

The partnership’s auction bid of £155,000 safeguarded the replica’s future as a North East visitor attraction, having beaten competing bids that could have seen the ship moved to Portsmouth, London or Dubai.

The arrival of the legendary tall ship in 2018 will coincide with the 250th anniversary when Captain Cook first set sail from Portsmouth on-board Endeavour to observe the transit of Venus at Tahiti, circumnavigate and chart New Zealand and chart the East coast of Australia.

Mr Fiddler said: “To have secured one of the most distinctive and historic maritime attractions is fantastic particularly as I’ve had a lifelong passion for the sea.

"Not only did I serve in the Royal Navy but I also participated in Endeavour ’90, a six-month circumnavigation of the globe."

Catriona McLees, head of promotion and tourism for the North York Moors National Park Authority added: “We’re delighted to help support a project that has such a strong resonance with the National Park particularly with Cook’s early years being spent near Roseberry Topping and Great Ayton before he moved to Staithes and then onto Whitby where his maritime career began.

“The ship will be a great draw for visitors and encourage them to make their own discoveries of the wonders along our coast.”