Water sports site in £3.5m boost

A white water course on Teesside is to undergo a £3.5m upgrade in an effort to secure its status as a top international sporting venue.

The Teesside White Water Course in Stockton could host Olympic athletes looking to train for the 2012 Games.

The move will see the height of the course's walls raised and new features and obstacles added.

Regional development agency One NorthEast has provided the bulk of the funding for the project.

World events

Alan Clarke, chief executive of One North East, said: "This funding package will transform the course into a first class facility which can realistically compete to host top international sporting events."

The course is currently tidal driven, which means it can only be used three hours either side of low tide, making its promotion as a leading sports venue difficult.

Ken Lupton, leader of Stockton Council, added: "The course upgrade is a win-win situation for everyone.

"Capable of hosting world events, it can be converted almost at the flick of a switch to a venue suitable for the whole community."