YOUNGSTERS from the 1st Stocksfield Guides took to the water earlier this month as guests of the Sea Cadets.

The girls were taken from the Sea Cadets’ Derwenthaugh Boat Station in Gateshead for a non-landing cruise down the river, under Newcastle’s iconic bridges, and back to Derwenthaugh.

Using two of the Sea Cadets’ Cheverton Champ vessels, they were taught how to drive and manoeuvre the vessels and experienced the speed at which the Tyne races to the sea.

For many of the 10 to 14-year-old girls, it was the first time on the river, but they still impressed Sea Cadet instructor, Gwynne Burn, who said they were ”a credit to their leaders and their parents.“