A NEW report makes the case for Middlesbrough to effectively be the 'city centre' of the new Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA).

The findings of leading economist Paul Swinney are only advisory, but if the idea of focusing on Middlesbrough is taken up it could eventually mean the town secures new investment and jobs.

However, the report – titled The Geography of the Tees Valley Economy – points out that the area with the largest number of jobs is actually in the borough of Stockton.

TVCA is made up of five unitary authorities – Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton – and came into being on April 1.

The five councils will continue to exist but TVCA will assume powers of transport and economic development for the whole district. It is expected a mayor for the whole area will be elected next year.

Mr Swinney wrote the report for the thinktank Centre for Cities.

He argues that Middlesbrough already has the largest share of 'knowledge-based' jobs in the area, which include digital, legal and financial sector jobs. His report describes Middlesbrough as a city centre – although is it, in fact, a town.

In his findings, Mr Swinney said: "The economy of the Tees Valley has a number of important employment sites.

"In 2014 the stretch of land from the fringes of Eaglescliffe through to Portrack industrial estate and Middlesbrough city centre were home to the largest number of jobs, followed by the area including Morton Park in Darlington and Wilton, near Redcar, with 10,100.

"Of these sites, Middlesbrough city was by far the most most concentrated. Despite accounting for just 0.2 per cent of all land in the Tees Valley, it accounted for 5.9 per cent of the total number of jobs."

A spokesman for Middlesbrough Council said the report "makes the case for central Middlesbrough being the area’s city centre".

Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd said: “As the city centre at the heart of the Tees area, Middlesbrough plays a pivotal role in attracting new business and driving prosperity."

A spokesman for TVCA said: “All parts of our area have a vital contribution to make, and it’s therefore important to continue the successful development of the centre of Middlesbrough as an excellent business location.”

Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland and Darlington councils declined to comment. Hartlepool did not responded.