STOCKTON mayor Jean O'Donnell stuck up for her town when asked to name her favourite North-East building.

In her role as a judge on a panel to choose an imaginary eighth Wonder of the World to be built in the region, Councillor O'Donnell selected the Wolfson Research Institute as the best building.

A photograph of the institute, which is part of the University of Durham's Queen Campus in Stockton, will be auctioned at a charity dinner this month to raise money for regional children's charities.

Coun O'Donnell said: "To me this splendid building is a symbol of the regeneration of our area and a sample of what the future could hold for Stockton."

Professor Charles Heywood, director of the Wolfson Research Institute, said: "We are delighted to be recognised by the mayor in this way.

"All those who visit the Wolfson are not only impressed by the quality of the research facilities, but also the transformation of the riverside into an attractive location."

The mayor will soon be judging a competition for schools to mark National Construction Week, organised by the Construction Industry Training Board.

The eight teams chosen as finalists are being asked to build models of their designs and exhibit them at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts in Gateshead.