Hartlepool Borough Council has launched a bid to bring the world-famous Tall Ships back to the town.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors from far and wide flocked to Hartlepool when the vessels last visited in 2010.

The council – working in partnership with the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool, PD Ports and Hartlepool Marina Ltd – have submitted a bid to host The Tall Ships again in 2023.

Councillor Shane Moore, the council leader, said: “Hartlepool has a proud maritime heritage and to host The Tall Ships again would be a huge honour.

“Hartlepool Waterfront and its associated facilities are second to none and we proved during 2010 that we have the capability to host an event of this magnitude.

“Exciting plans have just been announced to redevelop the museum and the wider Hartlepool Waterfront site and I believe we would be a fitting venue for the Tall Ships in 2023.

“We have an enviable record for partnership working and Hartlepool Borough Council, The National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool, PD Ports and Hartlepool Marina Ltd are proud to present this proposal for consideration.”

Gill Alexander, chief executive of the council, said: "We are proud to be the home of HMS Trincomalee, the oldest warship still afloat in Europe and more recently we were delighted to work with The National Museum of the Royal Navy to secure the arrival of RML 497 – a unique World War Two Rescue Motor Launch.

"Securing the arrival of the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Hartlepool has ensured the town has a permanent visitor destination of national significance and the Council is delighted to be working in partnership with the museum, PD Ports and Hartlepool Marina Ltd to present this exciting proposal to host The Tall Ships in 2023.

"Alongside our friends at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, we’ve just announced big plans for the Hartlepool Waterfront site and by 2023 the early stages of redevelopment will be in place, which would help establish a wonderful setting for the event.

"Hartlepool has an excellent record for partnership work and I really hope we are given the opportunity to deliver on our promise to host The Tall Ships in 2023."

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen and Roslyn Adamson, from the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool are backing the bid, as well as Captain PD Brooks, harbour master.

In the bid document PD Ports said, 'we would like to offer our support to Hartlepool Borough Council in their bid to host the Tall Ships’ Race in 2023. In principle, PD Ports will be able to offer a large land area for the event site, berths within the harbour to accommodate the Tall Ships and the time and expertise of our management team to facilitate the delivery of a successful event. We feel that this event would be a very valuable boost to the region, as was the Tall Ships’ event in 2010'.