Fun and fitness right on your doorstep.

EVENTS that combine fun and fitness are taking place in the Tees Valley this week and next. The first ever Take To The Tees watersports festival got under way at the weekend. The event, organised by Stockton Council and partners, will give hundreds of people the chance to have a go at the exhilarating sports available on the river free of charge. The festival was launched in spectacular style, with a flotilla of vessels led by Olympic swimmer and Strictly Come Dancing star Mark Foster.

There were also demonstrations and bookings for free taster sessions during the weekend. Watersport clubs and organisations are continuing to give free taster sessions.

Event director Victoria Rogers said: "Whether it's the fast and the furious, the calm and sedate or the quirky new craze that floats your boat, this is a golden opportunity to try your hand at a range of activities.". For more details log on to www.rivertees.org.uk/riverweek/ AS you can see on the right, walking is good for you, so why not pull on your walking shoes and head into the sunshine. Redcar and Cleveland's Walking Festival got under way this week.

Organised by the council's Countryside and Public Right of Way Team, the festival runs until September 2 and is giving walkers the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of the borough. The programme includes: Saturday, August 29 HUMMERSEA CLIFFS and LOFTUS Town, 10am-2.30pm. A six mile circular walk, following in the footsteps of miners and quarry men.

Sunday, August 30 PARK WOOD, 10am-3pm. An eight mile circular walk taking in the south side of Eston Hills through Park Wood. Monday, August 31 COMMONDALE TREK, 9.30am-3.30pm. A 14 mile walk using forest tracks and moorland paths and stopping for a drink in The Cleveland Inn.

Tuesday, September 1 TWIN VALLEY, 10am-1pm. A 3' mile walk in both Saltburn Valley and Saltburn Gill to discover secrets of ancient and semi ancient woodlands.

Wednesday, September 2 UPLEATHAM CHURCH, 10am-1.30pm. An easygoing five mile circular walk, including a stop at Upleatham Church to see inside the 12th century Church of St Andrew and hear about the village destroyed by the quest for ironstone.

ALL walks are pounds 2 per person with booking essential - places allocated on first come, first served basis. Everyone taking part will need suitable clothing and footwear and should bring waterproofs, a drink and a packed lunch. Details of where to meet will be provided with booking confirmation. Booking forms are available from the council's three Tourist Information Centres at Redcar, Guisborough and Saltburn; all the borough's libraries; the countryside sites of Guisborough Forest and Walkway, Saltburn Valley Woodland Centre and Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park at Normanby. Details are also available on www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Or for more information, contact the council's countryside officer Dawn Ferrer on 07909 906311.

CAPTION(S):

We all know that cycling can get you fitter and they've been starting early in Redcar and Cleveland where the council was the first authority to offer cycling road safety to children under five. From left, four-year-olds Brian Jones, Jolie Grimwood, and Jamie Phillips take to the saddle