PLANS to build a three-storey media centre costing more than £1.8m at the region's flagship cricket ground have been approved.

The proposals for Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside ground, at Chester-le-Street-le-Street, were endor-sed by Chester-le-Street Dist- rict Council's planning committee.

The facility will include commentary areas, a Press seating area and camera platform on the roof. There are also proposals to provide further seating areas linked to two existing areas.

When planning permission was first granted for the development of a cricket ground in 1993, the proposals had envisaged a media centre on the south stand.

It is hoped the centre will be built in time for the Bang-ladesh-England npower test match starting on June 3 next year, and the England-Australia One Day Cricket International on June 23.

A cricket club spokesman said: "We have big internationals and domestic games, but there will be periods when it may be standing empty, so there is scope to use it for conference and education purposes among others."

The ground floor will provide space for a bar and food preparation, while the first floor will feature tiered seating for the Press, an outdoor viewing area and additional spectator seating.

The second floor will have a number of television and radio commentary studios, while the third would will comprise an open platform providing a vantage point for television cameras.

The application was approved subject to the views and comments of the Environment Agency.

* There are still tickets for both matches, available on box office 0191-387 5151.