A MAJOR European watersports event is to take place in the North-East.

Stockton has been chosen as the venue for the European Dragon Boat Championships in 2004, with competitors from nine European countries, including Switzerland, Poland, Italy and the Czech Republic.

Two local dragon boat teams, Powerhouse and the Hartlepool Powermen, worked together to submit their proposal for the event which, it is hoped, will be held in the summer of 2004.

The competition will be held over a weekend with competitors arriving a week earlier to train.

The choice of Stockton as the venue follows the town's successful hosting of the recent Canoe Marathon Championships and World Cup, and the Waterski World Championships.

The 2004 event, which is for adults and juniors, will take place on the 100m stretch of the River Tees at the Tees Barrage, with the new River Tees Watersports Centre, where the Powerhouse team is based, playing host as the main venue.

The Hartlepool Powermen team is based at the Castlegate Quay Watersports Centre.

The European Dragon Boat Championships are held every two years.

Debbie Curgenven, Stockton Borough Council's manager of sports development, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to further promote Stockton on the world stage as a major sporting venue.

"We will also be encouraging people, both young and old, to get involved in dragon boating in the two years leading up to the championships."

Anyone interested in sponsoring the event should contact (01642) 358500.