A YEAR-LONG celebration of heritage, culture and sporting activities along the River Tees taking place.

The Year of the Tees will illustrate the impact the River Tees has had on the development of the borough of Stockton and aims to encourage more people to make use of the facilities on and around the river.

Paul Marshall, Stockton Borough Council's neighbourhood renewal manager, said; "We are aware there is so much happening on and around the river. We want to bring it all under one banner as a celebration of the life and history of the River Tees, which has played such an important role in the development of our borough."

The celebration began with the European Nations Dragon Boat Championships last month and it will conclude next August.

A website can be accessed via www.stockton.gov.uk

Events being considered by the council are a series of exhibitions in the Green Dragon Museum in Stockton.

Young people will be able to get involved in a photographic competition based around images of the river. Entries will go on display at the Green Dragon.

Dates and details will be announced at a later date.

Anyone with events or activities they would like to have linked to the Year of the Tees is asked to contact Mr Marshall on (01642) 526011.