Now Captain Cook is 'cancelled': Fury at plans to axe name of first explorer to set foot in Australia from square in town where he grew up as part of rebrand by Labour council

Plans to rename Middlesbrough's Captain Cook Square to drop the mention of the famed explorer have sparked fury. Plans to rename Middlesbrough's Captain Cook Square to drop the mention of the famed explorer have sparked fury Captain Cook, who was born in the Marton area of Middlesbrough, was the first European explorer to set foot in Australia It came after Labour councillors also hit back at Mr Preston's criticism, accusing him of having made the rebrand decision himself before he departed his role as mayor in May this year. Captain Cook, who was born in the Marton area of Middlesbrough, was the first European explorer to set foot in Australia. A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: 'The Square branding was promoted by Praxis, the managing agent of Captain Cook Square, after consultation with current and potential tenants in February.