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Captain Cook's Endeavour replica to be based in Whitby

North York Moors National Park Authority Andy FiddlerNorth York Moors National Park Authority
Andy Fiddler intends re-opening the craft as a tourist attraction and centre of learning for schools and colleges

A replica of the ship Captain James Cook used to sail to Australia and New Zealand in the 1760s is to become part of a new tourist attraction in Whitby.

Endeavour, based at Stockton, Teesside, was built as a floating museum for £2.5m in 1993 but was sold in August.

It was acquired by a partnership supported by the North York Moors National Park and is expected to move to Whitby in 2018.

Yorkshire-born Cook began his maritime career in Whitby.

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The partnership, led by businessman Andy Fiddler, paid £110,000 for the life-sized replica which is is one of two - the other is on permanent display in Australia.

The ship was not designed to be put to sea and will be transported to Whitby in the New Year.

NORTH YORK MOORS NATIONAL PARK EndeavourNORTH YORK MOORS NATIONAL PARK
The ship will be moved to Whitby in early 2018

Its arrival in Whitby will coincide with the 250th anniversary of Cook setting sail on Endeavour to circumnavigate and chart New Zealand and chart the east coast of Australia.

Catriona McLees, from the North York Moors National Park Authority, said: "We're delighted to support the project, particularly with Cook's early years being spent near Roseberry Topping and Great Ayton, before he moved to Staithes and on to Whitby, where his maritime career began."