LADY Olga Maitland has thrown her weight behind the bid to bring the European Capital of Culture 2008 to the North-East.
During a visit to Northumbria University, Lady Olga took the chance to see some of the high-profile cultural regeneration projects in Gateshead and Newcastle, including Grainger Town, the Angel of the North, the Baltic arts centre and Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
The former Tory MP said: "It has been a while since I visited the North East. The people are just as friendly, warm and welcoming as ever, but I can honestly say that the cultural transformation is magnificent.
"The last time I was here, the Quayside area was almost derelict. Now, it could easily challenge any other European city for its architecture and design.
"However, what stands out is that Newcastle and Gateshead's bid is not just about art galleries, bridges and buildings. It recognises that culture is about involving everyone."
Lady Olga met Sune Nordgren, the director of the Baltic, and Bill Macnaught, Gateshead council's head of libraries, arts and lifelong learning.
To date, more than 80,000 people have signed up to register their support for the bid.
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