A FORMER Olympic canoe coach's initiative to raise awareness of climate change has received the backing of a number of MPs.

David Train, who was born in Stockton, is calling on world leaders to sign his Paddle for Life - a wooden canoe paddle which he is hoping to use a symbol to spread his message.

Former Prime Ministers Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron have all signed his paddle, as well as other European leaders, and he is looking to get Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn, President Macron from France and President Xi from China to get behind his campaign.

Mr Train, who is passionate about his campaign sticking to its Tees Valley routes, has now got the signatures of all the areas MPs on his paddle.

Darlington's Jenny Chapman, Redcar's Anna Turley, Middlesbrough's Andy McDonald, Middlesbrough South and east Cleveland's Simon Clarke, Stockton North's Alex Cunningham, Stockton South's Paul Williams and Hartlepool's Mike Hill have all backed the campaign, along with Tees Valley Ben Houchen.

"President Macron has set himself the task of leading the West on climate change," said Mr Train.

"He is calling of ideas from around the world and I believe this presents a brilliant opportunity for Tees Valley."

The organiser of the Paris 2024 Olympics has also agreed to sign the Paddle for Life, and for the next stage of the project, Mr Train wants to launch a new boat, the "Spirit of Tees Valley and the Climate Revolution" which he wants to launch on the waters of the Tees with the help of the politicians.

Mr Train spent 12 years as a Great Britain Olympic canoe coach and helped the teams who competed at the Los Angeles, Seoul, Barcelona and Atlanta games between 1984 and 1996.

He was responsible for designing the first Bell Boat, which helps to encourage people to take up water sports with its focus on large groups and team work.

Speaking to The Northern Echo previously about the campaign, Mr Houchen said:

"I applaud David and his innovative ideas to highlight this issue and wish him well with his campaign.”