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VISITORS to a North-East town could be in for a giant television treat if plans for a huge screen get the go-ahead prior to this summer's Olympics.

Middlesbrough has been chosen as one of the key sites in the BBC's Public Space Broadcasting Project, which has already seen screens put up in cities including Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool.

The project, working in partnership with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), will see a network of screens installed at key locations across the UK in time for this summer's Beijing Olympics - and the subsequent hand-over to London on August 24.

Middlesbrough's proposed 27m sq screen would be located at the western end of Centre Square, near Albert Road and next to the Town Hall.

As well as broadcasting a mix of live BBC news, information and films, the screen will act as a gathering point for other local, national and international events, with a strong interactive element.

The estimated annual £120,000 cost of the screen will be met by LOCOG until the close of the London Olympics in 2012, when the facility will be made available to Middlesbrough Council for a nominal fee.

Middlesbrough Councillor David Budd, executive member for regeneration, said: "Centre Square is already recognised as one of the country's best civic open spaces.

"Recent events, such as Proms in the Park and the recent Sport Relief Mile, have demonstrated how well suited it is for the staging of major public events.

"The screens have proved to be hugely popular in the other cities where they have been introduced, adding a new dimension to major music, sporting and cultural events.

"The proposed siting of one of the Live Sites screens at the very heart of Middlesbrough's cultural quarter will prove a huge draw to the town, both during this summer's Olympics, and far beyond."

Plans for the screen have been submitted and are due to be considered by Middlesbrough Council's planning committee on Friday, June 13.

A public information session on the initiative will be held at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Friday, May 16, from 5pm.

Anyone who would like to comment on the proposed Live Sites screen can write to the planning department, Civic Centre, Middlesbrough, TS1 2QQ or email developmentcontrol@middlesbrough.gov.uk, before Thursday, May 22.

10:11pm Monday 12th May 2008

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