UP to 60 jobs could be coming to a former steeltown with the opening of a £1.1m innovation centre.

The 7,800sq ft building on the site of the former Consett steelworks will provide a starter home for new businesses and is being seen as an important step in the ongoing regeneration of the town.

The centre, which stands on Pond's Court Business Park, next to Steel House and close to the town centre, and has been developed by Project Genesis, the partnership set up to regenerate the town after the closure of the steelworks 25 years ago.

Managing director Morris Muter said: "This building represents our renewed commitment to the future of Consett and its people, offering top quality accommodation for start-up businesses and those who come into the area.

"It not only enjoys excellent transport links, it is also just two minutes' walk from the town centre and ideally located for Derwentside College and the planned new sports centre."

The two-storey building has been built ahead of schedule by Gateshead-based Mansell Construction Services, which was involved in the construction of the nearby International Cuisine factory. Developers say they are so confident that the building will be fully let that land has already been set aside for an extension.

Mike Steele, director of operations for Mansell, said: "We have a long and successful association with Project Genesis and this building is another demonstration of the high standards produced by the team for the local community."

The development is the latest in a series of projects which are slowly transforming the 600-acre steelworks site. A number of housing developments are under construction at Templetown and Park Road and an operator is expected to be revealed for a new restaurant within the next few weeks.

Mr Muter said: "The steelworks site is a great potential resource to the people of Consett and we want to restore its status as the heart of the local community.

"The key is to ensure that we have a suitable mix of developments, bringing in new businesses to create jobs and creating new homes to bring new people into the town, along with the leisure facilities that everyone can use."