WOMEN have a chance to try out water skiing or canoeing in evening taster events next week.

Hartlepool Borough Council is running the courses for women on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

They include training by a qualified coach, the use of a wetsuit and buoyancy aid and, for the water skiiing course, transport to and from the Tees Barrage.

The canoeing courses are on Monday and Wednesday, at Hartlepool Marina, from 6pm to 8pm, and the water skiing is on Thursday, from 6pm to 9pm, at the Tees Barrage.

Margaret Boddy, of the council's sport development team, said they were an opportunity for women to try more challenging sports.

For more details, or to book a place, phone (01429) 284050.