Plans may bring 'thousands of jobs' - graduate jobs

Graduates looking for opportunities in the North East will be buoyed by news of a prospective new enterprise zone.

It is thought the Tees Valley enterprise zone could lead to the creation of about 30,000 jobs - great news for those who have graduated from university and are looking for work.

The Northern Echo reported that the Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has created plans to boost business activity in eight sites.

The areas earmarked for regeneration are in Darlington, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Billingham, Redcar, Cleveland and Hartlepool - with renewable energy and biotechnology among the secotrs to be given a boost.

However the plans are subject to a consultation with the council and local business leaders.

Stephen Catchpole, the managing director of Tees Valley Unlimited, suggested the zone would differ from others which often focus on one specific district.

He said: "These eight sites across Tees Valley are joined by the common purpose of driving forward our economic ambitions."

Enterprise zones, which offer tax breaks and reduced planning restrictions, were introduced in the budget.