ATHLETES will soon be able to weather temperatures ranging from freezing to tropical - without stepping outside.

An environment chamber, with temperature controls changed with pinpoint accuracy to simulate the climate of almost any country in the world, will be a feature of a £6m sports research laboratory being built on a university campus on Teesside.

The exercise physiology lab to test competitors against a range of adverse conditions, and to acclimatise them, will be part of a showpiece centre for sport to be opened in time for the new academic year at the University of Teesside, in Middlesbrough, in September.

Students will be able to study physiological responses of the body to temperature changes, and see the effects of temperature and humidity on sport performance.

The two-storey Olympia development has been designed to serve both teaching and research needs of the university's work in the field of sport and exercise.

Mark Hawkings, head of sport and recreation, said the centre will include a sports hall - the size of six badminton courts - to stage tournaments, with seating for 500 spectators.

He said: "It will provide a much-needed resource for both academic and recreational sport, and the academic provision of physiology and biomechanics labs, incorporating the region's only environmental chamber.

"The recreational provision on campus will be a major benefit and will mean students will not have to travel to external venues for training and competition.

"The facilities will also provide a resource for the local community who are not well served in central Middlesbrough."

Sports Minister Richard Caborn visited the site yesterday during a visit to Teesside.