A £4.9m redevelopment of the Tees Barrage International Water Course on the River Tees between Stockton and Middlesbrough has been announced.

The project includes redesigning the main course, building a second shorter course and installing four large 12m x 3m Archimedes Screws, which create guaranteed conditions for canoeists and rafters. When they aren't used to pump water around the course, the Archimedes Screws will use river water to generate electricity.

The scheme is being funded by ONE North East, Stockton Council, Tees Active, Middlesbrough Council and Sport England.

Tees Active, the leisure trust, has been contracted to manage and develop the facility. Steve Chaytor, managing director, said: "We are thrilled to be involved in this exciting development. This is a world class facility for Teeside that will attract visitors from far and wide both to the course and to the region."

Work at the centre, which is one of the proposed training camps for the 2012 Olympic Games, is due to begin in September.