CAPTAIN Cook sailed again this week when children at Great Ayton celebrated the the explorer hero's birthday with a water pageant.

A flotilla of home-made vessels sailed along the River Leven as part of a series of activities to mark the 272nd anniversary of Cook's birth at Marton, near Middlesbrough.

"Captain Cook is very important to local people," said Hambleton council leader, Coun June Imeson. "We hope this week will become an annual event."

Yesterday, visitors from New Zealand and Australia were given a guided tour of the Captain Cook Schoolroom museum in Great Ayton. The party of travel agents is in the area on a familiarisation tour of the North-East