TWO of the region’s universities are going head-to-head in an annual boat race on the River Tyne.

Crews from Durham and Newcastle Universities will be taking part in the Boat Race of the North on Saturday, May 6.

The contest takes place over 1,500 metres, from Redheugh to the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, taking in some of the North-East’s most iconic landmarks.

This year there will be six races in total with both universities fielding a beginner, second and first ranked eight-oared crew from their men’s and women’s squads, each racing head to head.

Following the racing there will be a competition on rowing machines, in partnership with Siemens and Energy Systems Catapult, to see which team can generate the most power and how this compares to the power used by people every day in their houses.

Barnaby Stroud-Turp, president of Newcastle University Boat Club, which won the overall title last year, said: “The Tyne provides an amazing waterway in which to race, it is great to see the city from a riverside perspective and have crowds lining the Quayside and cheering us on.

“Last year’s event was a brilliant event; it proved popular with the competitors and public alike so we are keen to make it a great annual fixture.

“We are also delighted to announce Siemens as the event sponsor and are very grateful for their support. We’d encourage everyone to get down to the Quayside to watch the North-East’s version of the Oxford/Cambridge boat race.”

Races start at 1.30pm.