A FORMER Olympic canoe coach’s initiative to raise awareness of climate change has been backed by another leading politician.

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 a number of other European leaders, and last month Theresa May added her name to the list of signatures.

With the help of Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham, he has now managed to get the paddle signed by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Train said: "It all started last year when Ben Houchen signed the paddle and I challenged him to a race to get Theresa May to sign.

"With the help of Claire Perry, the minister for clean energy, the prime minister signed a couple of weeks ago and now, with Alex's help, the leader of the opposition has signed - it's great news."

Mr Cunningham, Darlington’s Jenny Chapman, Redcar’s Anna Turley, Middlesbrough’s Andy McDonald, Middlesbrough South and east Cleveland’s Simon Clarke, Stockton South’s Paul Williams and Hartlepool’s Mike Hill have all joined the list of MPs who have signed the paddle.

Mr Train is hoping the project will be completed in time for the Paris Olympics in 2024, and his next aim is to get President Macron of France to sign the paddle, as well as the president of China.

"Brexit is absorbing the minds and time of all parliamentarians at the moment and the greatest long term threat to civilisation and humanity tends to get put to the back of the queue.

"I am delighted that the leaders of government and opposition have taken the time to sign so that we can move forward to make the world a more secure place for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren."

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.