Sinatra's Bar, in Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, will soon become The Seaton Canoe after the exploits of the man who lived just yards from the pub.

Regulars were asked to come up with names for the recently refurbished pub – and most of the 150 suggestions by drinkers had Darwin links.

The new management of the pub put up a £100 prize for any punter who came up with their final choice of name, but no-one did.

Instead the money will be donated to Hartlepool Lifeboat Station, which carried out an extensive search for the missing canoeist in March 2002.

The story of the canoeist, who was missing presumed dead after paddling out to sea, put Seaton Carew in the national spotlight and the owners say it has triggered endless conversations from locals and visitors.

Richard Lakey, who owns the pub with wife Angie, said: "I'm pleased with the name. It stands out and I'm sure it will cause a few smiles as people go past.

"Surprisingly no-one guessed the name we had in mind, so we will give the money to the lifeboat, which we thought seemed fitting.

"We are having the signs made up and soon they'll be put up and we'll celebrate a proper opening night."

Mr Lakey's step-daughter Emma Elliott, who manages the pub, said other entries included Darwin's and The Lost Canoeist.

She said: "A lot of people are still talking about the Darwins and hopefully the name will intrigue people and get them to come in and have a look.

"We'll probably have a few paper cuttings on the walls but we won't go as far as having a canoe inside - it won't go with the new decorating."

John Darwin is currently awaiting sentence for a number of fraud charges, while his wife Anne denied six counts of deception and nine charges of money laundering.

She will stand trial in July at Teesside Crown Court.