Sports trust Tees Active and North Tees Primary Care Trust have put together an extensive free summer activity programme for youngsters in Stockton on Tees.

Designed to increase opportunities for children to participate in sport and physical activity, the Sporting Start holiday programme offers more than 8,000 places for five- to 16-year-olds to attend taster sessions at Billingham Forum, Thornaby Pavilion, Thornaby Pool, Stockton Sports Centre or Castlegate Quay Watersports Centre between 24 July and 31 August.

During the April and May school holiday programme, the trust welcomed more than 3,000 attendances at the various activities organised for the youngsters of Stockton.

Allan McDermott of Tees Active Sports Academy said: "The support we have gained from North Tees PCT has enabled us to introduce the Sporting Start initiative which is specifically designed to increase physical activity of people in the borough.

"This summer's Sporting Start has 22 different sports or physical activities varying from football to street dance.

"The children will receive free expert tuition in their sessions and if they enjoy their experience they will be signposted to venues where they can continue to enjoy their sporting experience."

New for the summer programme are intensive learn to swim courses which are designed to increase children's water confidence and proficiency.