THE ninth World Canoe Marathon Championships are due to start with a bang at the Tees Barrage on Friday.

In an opening ceremony involving underwater explosions, pyrotechnic effects and a fire-breathing dragon, street arts company Bravura will act out the story of the River Tees around the barrage area.

In the audience will be the Princess Royal, who will be guest of honour as the championships get under way the same evening.

Organisers Stockton Borough Council, the International Canoe Federation and the British Canoe Union, are encouraging as many spectators to the three-day championships as possible. It is the first to be staged on the River Tees.

Spectators are being asked to arrive in good time for the 7.30pm start, to find the best seats on the grassy banks of the barrage.

As patron of the event, Princess Anne is flying into Teesside specially for the evening, where she will join spectators and hundreds of athletes from 32 countries at the opening ceremony.

Debbie Curgenven, the council's sports development officer, said: "We wanted to make the opening ceremony something special for everyone to remember. It is an honour that Princess Anne has agreed to attend."

Free parking is available at the barrage and at the University of Durham Stockton Campus throughout the weekend.