ROWERS from all over the North-East will converge at the Riverside for an annual regatta.

Chester-le-Street Amateur Rowing Club is holding the event next Saturday, April 28. Rowers, both adult and junior, from clubs across the region and from as far afield as Scotland, will be competing over a 1,000-metre course. Rowing will start from early morning and run through to about 5pm.

Admission is free and spectators are welcome to attend and watch the racing.

This year the landing stage is being extended to accommodate the additional rowers anticipated after the event was re-started last year. The event is being sponsored by Dunelm Property Services and Durham County Council.

Chester-le-Street Rowing Club reformed in 1990 after a few years break, having existed since the 1860s.

For many years the club ran with a handful of members under the stewardship of Bob Heywood. Since 2005 membership has risen to 60 and includes juniors from age ten to 18 and also has a thriving adult section with rowers of all ages. The club was Chester-le-Street District Junior and Senior Sports Club of the year last year and was runner-up as Junior Sports Club of the year across County Durham.