REGENERATION bosses have secured nearly 2,000 jobs in County Durham since April, giving fresh hope to the region in the face of the depressing manufacturing climate.

The County Durham Development Company (CDDC) has backed projects offering hundreds of jobs through its work supporting new businesses, expansion plans by companies and attracting inward investment.

One scheme, the Teesdale Enterprise Fund, which is administered by the CDDC and the Teesdale Enterprise Agency, has already provided more than £350,000 to 59 business start-up projects which look likely to create 180 jobs.

The grants came about after a £750,000 donation from GlaxoSmithKline in the wake of 400 job losses over two years at its site at Barnard Castle, County Durham.

The CDDC's job figures, which will be fully realised over the next three years, include:

* 217 from inward investment, where companies have moved to County Durham.

* 273 via 42 new businesses

* 1,325 through 55 company expansions.

The figures are a silver lining in the region's dark cloud of job losses, which include 950 at Black and Decker in Spennymoor and 150 at the Blue Circle cement works in Weardale.

Stewart Watkins, the executive director of the CCDC, which is the business development arm of Durham County Council, said: "In a difficult and challenging world economic situation, CDDC believes that County Durham continues to offer a competitive and attractive business location.

"It is a package which includes an outstanding environment, excellent facilities and a committed and adaptable workforce."

The CDDC can help identify business sites or properties, local suppliers, recruitment and training support, financial support, and can help to research and develop new ideas.

It works closely with several agencies including the regional development agency One NorthEast, Business Link County Durham and the region's five universities.