MODEL youngsters from schools across Teesside have set sail to celebrate the end of the Science is Great 2000 scheme.

The pupils, from schools in Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Redcar, were invited by Setpoint Tees Valley to join in the celebrations at Nature's World.

Watched by MPs and business people, the children raced handmade boats along a scale model of the River Tees in the finals of the Schools' Summer Science Slalom.

Setpoint Tees Valley is one of 27 centres of excellence in the UK which link schools and industry and encourage scientists, technologists and engineers to work in partnership with schools to promote excellence.

Colin Wilkinson of Setpoint Tees Valley said: "Our aim is to inspire young people about science, engineering, technology and mathematics.

"Our activities at Nature's World provided business with the opportunity to join young people and their teachers.