A BLUEPRINT for creating jobs and economic prosperity in County Durham over the next five years has been agreed, it was revealed yesterday.

The key players in economic development and regeneration in the county made the decision earlier this week.

Representatives of 50 bodies which make up the County Durham Economic Partnership met at County Hall in Durham to approve the new economic strategy, which will provide the framework for their work up to 2007.

The strategy places greater emphasis on measures to ensure that all communities benefit from the opportunities being created and enabling them to contribute to the economic regeneration of the county.

County Durham suffers from particular problems affecting its economic competitiveness, which the new framework aims to address.

Particular concerns are a low business start-up rate and deficiencies in the county's skills base.

This has led to the strategy identifying the development of learning, skills and entrepreneurship as areas on which to focus resources.

It also places emphasis in diversifying the county's economy, particularly through encouraging the development of the knowledge-based business sector. This will include building on strategic initiatives such as the NetPark, North East Technology Park in Sedgefield.

Measures to assist rural recovery in the west of the county in the wake of foot and mouth are also identified.