DISCOVERING Australia has put Captain James Cook in the history books as one of the world's greatest explorers.

Yesterday, he was crowned as his home town's most influential son after topping a poll to honour the top 20 famous faces from Middlesbrough.

The search was launched earlier this year to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Middlesbrough Council's Charter of Incorporation, which was granted by Queen Victoria.

Museum and library staff collated 150 people who have lived or worked in the town, and invited the public to vote for their favourite, following on from the success of the search for the greatest Briton, in which Cook came 12th.

More than 300 people emailed votes, including some from Canada, France, Germany and Italy, to state their preference with the region's best known explorer coming out on top.

"Without people like him, we wouldn't be on the international map and this area is known worldwide as James Cook Country," said Ian Stubbs, of Middlesbrough's Dorman Museum, who helped organise the poll with the help of the town's library service.

"This sort of thing makes people more aware of their heritage and that is very important if the town is to continue developing.

"Some people walk about town all day and don't realise what is all around them and what people from Middlesbrough have done, so we are trying to raise the profile of the town and highlight what people have done."

After Cpt Cook came Henry Bolckow, an entrepreneur who played a key role in the first council elections 150 years ago, followed by Sir Arthur Dorman, whose bridge building techniques have become famous the world over.

The rest of the poll was dominated by such well- known sportsmen such as Brian Clough, Wilf Mannion and Don Revie, while television's Thelma Barlow - also known as Mavis, from Coronation Street - came joint 19th.

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon paid tribute to all of the town's successful citizens.

He said: "We should never forget that Middlesbrough has a lot of people, past and present, that the whole town should be proud of.

"I am delighted that the contest has highlighted their achievements and Captain Cook is a man whose name will live down throughout the centuries."