A TOWN'S multi-million pound rejuvenation took to the big screen as a farewell celebration.

Middlesbrough Town Centre Company's seven-year life span has come to an end.

A private screening of the company's achievements was made possible by local film-maker Seed Animation. Past and present employees arrived at Cineworld in the town to see their work.

Chief executive Les Southerton chose the cinema as the venue for the company's final event, as a reminder that one of his first priorities was to attract a major cinema operator to Middlesbrough. More than 850,000 people a year now visit Cineworld.

Among the successful projects were the £2.5m pedestrianisation of the central section of Corporation and Newport Road, a £9.9m investment in improving the main roads and pedestrian corridors, major investment in the four shopping centres and improvements in the leisure industry.

Mr Southerton said: "The on-going process of regeneration and improvement has now reverted, as was always planned, to the direct control of Middlesbrough Council.

"It was fitting that one of my final acts as chief executive was to welcome some of the people who have contributed to the transformation of the town centre and join with them in celebrating past achievements."