The Race last visited the Tyne in 1993

The money donated by Sports Match to the North East Sailing Team will help with the recruitment and training of sailors for the Tall Ships Race.

It is looking for dozens of people aged from 18 to 23 to undergo two-and-a-half weeks of training.

The Tall Ships Race is coming to Tyneside in 2005.

Chief executive of the North East Sailing Team, Peter Stenner, said: "We are looking for 60 to 70 young people from all over the North of England to come forward and participate in training to race in the Tall Ships Race in Newcastle in July next year.

"Our boats will be participating in the race from Newcastle to Norway and with a bit of luck one of our boats will have a good chance of winning this race."