PLANS for a new snow centre in Middlesbrough which could create 350 jobs, have received a funding boost.

The £30m snow centre, which is expected to open to the public in September 2019, has been given a £250,000 boost by Tees Valley Combined Authority.

The indoor snow and leisure centre will consist of two ski slopes with an ice wall, trampoline park, climbing walls, a play area for children, indoor skydiving centre and retail facilities.

Located on a site between Temenos and Middlesbrough College, Middlehaven, it is expected to attract 2.25million visitors per year. Support from the Combined Authority has also included almost £4million in funding for a bridge to unlock the site.

Cool Runnings (NE) Ltd, who lodged the plans, have chosen Ice Factor Group, based in Scotland, to operate the new facility.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Cool Runnings came to us for extra financial support to get the project over the line, so I am pleased to sign off this funding..

“This project will be massive for Boro. The snow centre gives us a real chance to enrich the leisure landscape of the area while boosting the local economy.

“It is a win-win for the area, will aid the regeneration of Middlehaven, create jobs, and will give people from across the North a reason to visit and spend money in Middlesbrough.”

Cool Runnings director Rachael Howson said: “We are excited to now get moving with our plans to give Middlesbrough the world-class facility it deserves.”

To pave the way for the work on the snow centre, the Combined Authority and Middlesbrough Council are working together to deliver a state-of-the-art road crossing to Middlehaven.

The project will unlock the site while easing congestion on the A66.