A BUSINESS park is flying the flag for the region around the globe, following a visit from a top US Government official.

Virginia Cox, from the foreign affairs department of the US State Department, said the reputation of the County Durham technology park, NetPark, had already traveled to the US.

The multi-million pound centre, a joint venture between Durham County Council, One NorthEast and the University of Durham, aims to provide a home for science and technology-based businesses.

Ms Cox said she was impressed after conducting a fact-finding tour of the site.

She said: "NetPark was being talked about in the US and we were excited by what we heard. So we decided to come over here and have a look for ourselves.

"I must say I've not been let down by what I've seen. The park is showcasing a lot of new ideas."

One of the park's innovations is the space-age NetPark Incubator, which opened this week. The accommodation has been designed to meet the needs of science and technology companies and allow businesses to develop in low-rent accommodation with access to financial support. Two-thirds of the accommodation has been let in advance.

Ms Cox, who specialises in science and technology within the state department, said: "This is something I think we can really learn from in the US. One of the major problems with technology companies is that they need a few years to really establish themselves. This is a great way of encouraging them along."

Bosses at NetPark said they hoped the visit would help forge ties with the US.

John Smith, project manager at the science park, opened in July by Tony Blair, said: "We've certainly been talking through the possibility of more formal links with research parks in the US. We'd like to bring in international partners for the park."

Ms Cox said closer co-operation between US and UK business was essential for the growth of the 'knowledge economy'.

"The US is facing the same challenges as the UK as manufacturing disappears abroad," she said. "We need to think more and more about creating jobs in research and technology. After all, that is where the future lies."