OVER the next five days around 60,000 spectators are expected to be at the Riverside, providing a multi-million pound boost for the local economy.

For Durham County Cricket Club alone, the match will generate an extra £250,000 in much-needed revenue.

Hotels, shops and the leisure and tourism industries are bracing themselves for a brisk few days of business as Test cricket injects an estimated £4m into the region.

However, the kudos and publicity that come with being the world's newest Test venue are worth much more.

Television coverage on Sky and ball-by-ball radio commentary on BBC's Test Match Special guarantee a huge marketing and publicity opportunity for Chester-le-Street, County Durham and the North-East.

But the international media attention is likely to encourage tourism in the region for many years to come.

Durham chairman Bill Midgley says: "We get five days of television and radio coverage, not just in this country, but in many parts of the world.

"Hotels and restaurants will do very well and substantial amounts of money will be spent around the area."

Mick Waterson, chief executive of Chester-le-Street District Council, says: "Playing host to a Test match is a feather in the cap of, not only Chester-le-Street, but the entire region.

"Apart from the entertainment, this event will stimulate the local economy to benefit the local community."

A report by Durham University Business School says satellite television, national and regional newspaper and radio coverage of the Riverside Test are equivalent to spending around £60m marketing the region. Added to that is the generation of positive messages about the region to a potential audience of tourists and inward investors.

Also, the report suggests that around £12.2m will be generated by spectators travelling to the region if Durham County Cricket Club secures one Test match for each of the next five years. Test series sponsor npower, the national energy and essential home services provider, welcomes the contribution Test match cricket will make to the North-East.

Andy Duff, npower chief executive says: "This report is good news for the North-East and backs up our findings that sponsoring Test match cricket brings a positive economic benefit to the regions where it is played.

"June 5 will be a historic day when Durham makes cricketing history by becoming the first Test match ground for 101 years and the whole region should be celebrating."

The Durham University report also says:

*On average, a spectator who travels to an international match, spends £76.47.

*Spectators who attend an international match at Riverside are predominantly male.

*Two-thirds of all spectators travel from within the North-East region and the rest largely from Yorkshire, Humberside and the North-West.

*Of those spectators from outside the region, two-thirds believe that the image of the North-East is good or excellent.

*Most spectators travel to Riverside by car with the average occupancy being four."