A £4.6M world-class whitewater facility is taking shape as the project nears completion.

Work to transform the course at the Tees Barrage, in Stockton, into an internationally recognised venue is expected to be completed by the summer.

Once finished, it will be used by athletes from across the world who are preparing to compete in the London Olympics next year.

The main course will be 310 metres long, with a slope of 3.7 metres, with four main and three small pools. There will also be a 95-metre course, which has a 3.7-metre slope and a fast wave.

The obstacle blocks used to create river rapids were designed at the Tees Barrage and, because of their success, have been installed in the By Dani Webb dani.webb@nne.co.uk whitewater course in London.

The smaller course will also be transformed into a centre of excellence for firefighters from across the country. It will allow them to train to deal with floods and river rescues using cars and other vehicles in the water.

Andy Laird, principal engineer at EPD, which is carrying out the work, said: “We have undertaken a large upgrade on the previous course, which was open in 1994.

“A lot of work has taken place to look at all aspects of the course.

“We have been out promoting the course and its opening at the recent slalom championships, and a number of big teams are looking to come here and train.

“A couple of years ago we started a project and did a lot of research and development at the Tees site on the rapid blocks system, which are used to create the whitewater.

“This is going to be a real attraction for the North-East and it is going to bring in a lot of business and revenue for the area.”

Four huge Archimedes screws used to pump water around the course will generate electricity to reduce running costs.

The whitewater courses will create at least eight jobs and will be run by Tees Active.