A project to make the North East the 'green fuel' centre of the UK has taken a major step forward today with a ceremony to mark the start of the groundworks on the main site of the world's largest biofuels production complex on Teesside.

Representatives of local and regional agencies involved in supporting the Biofuels Corporation project were at Seal Sands to see the Mayor of Stockton, Councillor Jennie Beaumont, conduct the ground-breaking for a development which will be capable of producing 250,000 tonnes of fuel a year when it goes into operation early next year.

Biofuels Corporation Chief Executive John Nicholas, who has led the team which has been working on the development for the past two and a half years, was keen to stress that the support and enthusiasm of the North East had been a key factor in the decision to site the plant at Seal Sands. He also emphasised the essential role of Executive Director Max De Grussa in bringing the project to fruition.