FRESH from celebrating the most successful year in their history, Tees Rowing Club staged 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 entered the 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 were joined by local crews from Stephenson College (Durham University), John Snow College (Durham University) and Yarm School rowing clubs.

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