PHASE one of a multi-million pound business park which could create up to 1,500 jobs in Hartlepool has been given the go-ahead.

Work will begin shortly on the first business units on Queen's Meadow Business Park, owned by the regional development agency, One NorthEast.

Priority Sites will build two units on part of the 152-acre site at a cost of £1.6m. The single-storey buildings will cover 15,000sq ft and 20,000sq ft and will be available either for sale or to let.

One NorthEast estimates up to 1,500 jobs could be created when the site is complete.

Work on the units will begin in March and will be completed by late summer.