DETERMINED youngsters on Teesside were messing about on the river despite heavy rain yesterday.

Teenagers and younger children from across the borough of Stockton are learning sailing skills on the River Tees during the summer holidays.

The Castlegate Quay Water Sports Centre summer learning programme is part of Stockton Borough Council's sports development team's Xplore programme.

As part of the fun, young people learn to sail on boats including wide-bottomed Bell Boats, canoes and sailing boats.

"It is just one of the many sports development programmes we run throughout the summer holidays to make summer memorable for our young people," said a council spokesman.

The Xplore series of events was developed when the council recently merged the Summer Opportunities for Children and Communities programme with the adult sports development team.

To find out more log on to www.stockton.gov.uk