A TEESSIDE town has been named as one of the best in the country for business in a new survey.

Stockton is second for having the best environment and infrastructure out of all 325 council areas in England, according to a Local Futures survey undertaken for the specialist business publication MJ.

The five key areas looked at were: quality of life, commercial floorspace, growth in commercial and industrial floorspace, connectivity and cost base.

Councillor Bob Cook, leader of Stockton Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to be judged one of the top locations in the country for business by this prestigious journal.

“At present we have a substantial number of blue chip companies investing in their bases here and creating a substantial number of jobs.

“For example businesses like Darchem are building a £8m additional precision manufacturing base in Stillington.

"Nifco moved into a £19m factory last year and has now outgrown it and is building a second one, creating 170 jobs.

"We also have a new power plant being built by Air Products with a £320m investment at Billingham."