The sculptor who created the statue of a young James Cook which stands in the centre of Great Ayton has died aged 77.

Nicholas Dimbleby died on February 10, having been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease a year ago.

He created the sculpture of the young Captain Cook on High Green, Great Ayton, which was commissioned by Hambleton District and Great Ayton Parish councils.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The statue of a young James Cook in Great Ayton by Nicholas Dimbleby

It was unveiled in May 1997 by the master of the replica of Captain Cook’s barque Endeavour, which was visiting Whitby on a world tour at the time.

Nicholas also made a model of the intended statue – a maquette – which is on display in the nearby Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum.

He was the youngest brother of the well known broadcasting Dimbleby family, and had been in good health until being diagnosed with MND following a nasty fall.