A GROUP of divers has become the first in the North-East to officially adopt a shipwreck.

Cleveland Divers have become custodians of the former Greek cargo vessel, the Dimitris, which was built in Scotland in 1918 and was wrecked off Redcar, east Cleveland, in December 1953.

The group was helped in its adoption process by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Museums Service.

The adoption will now form part of a club project which will culminate in an exhibition at the Kirkleatham Old Hall Museum, Redcar.

The project will involve the creation of a virtual reality swim-through, an underwater guided diver trail and marine life surveys.

The club is also hoping for funding with a bid for a £10,000 grant under the Local Heritage Initiative.

Mark Simmons, the council's education officer for the museums service, said: "We would like to see the exhibition open in 2002 and we're very happy to support the project. It really will bring to life an often unseen aspect of our maritime heritage."

Gary Green, from the divers club, said: "The Dimitris is a very well-known local shipwreck and part of it can be seen from the shore at low tide. We would love to hear from anyone who remembers the wreck or has photographs, cine film or newspaper cuttings from the time.

"At the end of the project, people will be able to dive to the wreck without even getting their feet wet."

l Anyone who can help is asked to call the museums service on (01642) 479500.