SCHOOLchildren from Teesside enjoyed a day messing about on the water as part of a confidence building project yesterday.

Tees Rowing Club members worked with groups of youngsters at the River Tees Water Sports Centre, off Portrack Lane in Stockton.

The event was part of Project Oarsome, which links 100 state schools with 50 rowing clubs across the country.

The Teesside rowers work with pupils from Acklam Grange School in Acklam, Middlesbrough and Blakeston Community School in Stockton.

There was also a celebration yesterday when Stockton Mayor Ann Cains named eight new boats for the project. Each of the rowing boats, six for training and two for more advanced rowers, have been named after parts of the River Tees, including High Force and Broken Scar.

Councillor Cains said: "They gave me a demonstration. There was one young boy who went in the water for the very first time and did exceptionally well. It's really great what they're doing down there and I was really impressed."

A spokesman for Project Oarsome said: "This introduces young people to rowing and really helps improve self-confidence."

Project Oarsome is funded by the Amateur Rowing Association which is investing about £2.5m a year on new equipment, including the new boats for Tees Rowing Club.