THERE have been plenty of dark days for the North-East economy – but today is a very bright day indeed.

It was already destined to be an historic day for the region with the opening by the Prime Minister of the Hitachi factory at Newton Aycliffe.

But there is now double cause for celebration with confirmation that Nissan is investing a further £100m in the future of the UK’s biggest car plant at Sunderland.

Nissan is firmly established as the flagship of the region’s economy, with its North-East workforce demonstrating its first-class credentials over and over again.

And Hitachi has the potential to become a similar success story as train-building returns to the birthplace of the railways.

It is no surprise that David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne are heading to the North-East today to capitalise on the good news. An historic double jobs boost is an unmissable political opportunity.

But we should remember that the real credit goes to the North-East for the way it has come together over many months of hard work to make it happen.

Presenting the case for County Durham to be the location for the new Hitachi plant was the most effective example of working in partnership we have seen for many years.

Durham County Council, Business Durham, Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, Merchant Place Developments and Shepherd proved to be a visionary, committed and, ultimately, winning team.

And we are proud to say that The Northern Echo played its part too, being publicly acknowledged by Hitachi and the other partners for banging the drum the loudest for the North-East.

Together we proved that we can make it in the North-East.