YOUNGSTERS are being encouraged to take part in an indoor athletics competition in Stockton next month.

Selectors for the Tees Valley Team will be at the contest, at Thornaby Pavilion, on Monday, February 17, between 11am and 4pm.

Events will include two, four and six-lap races, standing long jump, standing triple jump, vertical jump and shot put.

They are open to young people from Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Hartlepool and Stockton.

Selectors will pick four teams - under-13 boys, under-13 girls, under-15 boys and under-15 girls - to represent the area at the regional athletics finals, to be held at the pavilion on Saturday, February 22.

At the regional finals the teams will be competing against teams from across the North-East for a place in the national finals to be held later in the year.

Entries for the competition have to be in by Friday, February 7, and competitors can enter up to three events for £2.

Application forms and further information is available from Claire Tennyson, sports development officer for Stockton Borough Council, on (01642) 358536