SOUTHAMPTON is to be a millennium port of call for the replica 18th century frigate used in the popular Hornblower TV series.

The three-masted Grand Turk, which will be a star of next year's millennium celebrations, will sail into 11 British ports as part of a major maritime education project.

And Southampton, which has been home to the world's most famous liners, has been picked as one of the host ports to the Hornblower ship as it breezes around the nation's coastline.

People on board will wear period costumes to bring maritime history to life and displays on the famous vessel will include art and music.

Organisers hope as many as 100,000 children and adults will visit the ship when it docks at Southampton, Ipswich, Hull, Newcastle, Dundee, Belfast, Liverpool, Cardiff, Falmouth, Plymouth and London. The Grand Turk's voyage - from May 10 to August 12, 2000 - is the centrepiece of the National Trust's millennium celebrations.

The voyage has been awarded £69,000 from the Millennium Fund and sponsorship deals will help to foot the rest of the bill for the project.

Organisers aim to boost the enjoyment of Britain's coastline and its maritime heritage as well as improve understanding of current conservation issues.

Subsidised transport will be laid on for under-privileged children and others who would not usually have access to the coast.

The epic voyage will start and end in London with the famous frigate staying open to the public for ten days until August 21, 2000.

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