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My journey starts, gently bobbing up and down, out in Tees Bay where the Tees Bay Pilots have taken me.

Did you know that every time a ship arrives or leaves the Tees it has to be done under the supervision of the pilots? They’re a team of people who have all served time at sea and go out in all weathers to ensure safe passage of ships and cargo into and out of our river.

Once in the Tees, I can see a great amount of industry which is largely unseen from the road. On my left is Teesport and on my right are the refineries.

I’m passing some amazing structures with length after length of pipes and containers, whilst on the left we pass the historic Smiths Dock. Then, as I get closer to Middlesbrough dock and there, ahead of me in all its glory is the magnificent Riverside Stadium.

The next landmark to come into view is the symbol of Teesside – the Transporter Bridge. Just before I reach the Newport Bridge I come to the end of my journey with the pilots as we arrive at Haverton Dock.

From here I carry on up the Tees and start to leave the industrial side of it behind me. I move into the areas which until the 1980’s were at the heart of Teesside industry but these days have been cleaned up and are now known for wildlife, water sports and river cruises.

Seals, otters and salmon are just a few of the species which happily exist in this once mucky and grimy part of the river.

Once out of Stockton the river starts to meander along more as we pass Thornaby and Ingleby Barwick. Then we arrive into Yarm where the first part of my journey comes to an end.

Yarm was once the port of the Tees. Here I have visited the Methodist church which has sat on the banks of the river since 1763.

The Yarm which you and I know these days was a backwater to all the hustle and bustle that took place on the banks of the river. This was a while ago when this town was a thriving port.

You can hear more from Matthew by clicking on the links above.