TECHNOLOGY experts from across the world will gather in Newcastle today to discuss how to boost the region's knowledge economy.

Delegates from 30 nations, including Finland, South Korea, Greece and Sweden are taking part in the seminar.

It was arranged by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) steering group, which is chaired by Newcastle City Council chief executive Ian Stratford.

Mr Stratford said: "Given that Newcastle's historic industries are long gone, we must build on our current areas of strength, forging new partnerships in which to build a forceful and vigorous knowledge-based economy.

"It is vital to retain the cream of higher education in the region to prevent the brain drain to the South."