FRESH from celebrating the most successful year in their history, Tees Rowing Club will stage the annual Tees Regatta on Saturday.

Thanks to the exploits of Tees RC members Kat Copeland, who won Olympic gold in the lightweight double sculls last summer, and Beth Bryan, who claimed Junior Olympic gold and silver medals in January, the Stockton-based club has seen a sustained growth in numbers over the last 12 months.

More than 260 crews have entered Saturday's regatta, in 70 different events, cementing the 100-year-old Tees Regatta's position as one of the biggest single-date rowing events in northern England.

The 850-metre course on the Tees runs from the Tees Barrage to the Princess Diana Bridge, and racing will take place between 9.30am-6.30pm, with races starting every four minutes.

Tees Rowing Club's junior, veteran, men's and women's squads will be joined by local crews from Stephenson College (Durham University), John Snow College (Durham University) and Yarm School rowing clubs.

Many of the junior crews will be honing their skills before competing in the National Schools Regatta which takes place the following weekend. They will compete against clubs from across the country in a full programme on a multi-laned course.

The best viewing spots for spectators will be either the Tees Barrage or Infinity Bridge, with parking at Riverside Car Park or Tees Barrage on the Thornaby side of the river. Refreshments will be available from the River Tees Water Sports Centre all day.