Action plan to boost water sports

A week-long festival is planned for the River Tees

An action plan to boost water sports on the River Tees has been put forward by Stockton Council.

The proposals, which cover a 13-mile stretch of the river from the Barrage to Low Worsall, include improvements to the existing white water course.

There would be greater co-ordination of sporting activities, which would also be more heavily promoted around and outside the region.

In addition, a week-long River Festival would take place in May 2009.

This would include free taster sessions for a variety of sports.

The action plan follows a ten-month review of leisure activities by the council's Arts, Culture and Leisure Select Committee.

Councillor Jean O'Donnell, the committee's chair, said: "The River Tees has become a fantastic leisure resource over the past decade or so and is a real asset to the borough.

"It offers so much more potential and the council is in the best position to realise this.

"The committee believes the council should take the lead in co-ordinating the activities on the river, to continue the excellent partnership working identified during the review."