THE Tees Valley has received the go-ahead for a £50m plan to regenerate the area.

An action plan, drawn up by the Tees Valley Partnership, was approved by the board of regional development agency One NorthEast earlier this week.

And, according to Alistair Arkley, chairman of the Tees Valley Partnership, the news could not have come sooner.

"This is just the launch pad we want for what promises to be a very exciting and challenging period," he said.

Under the plans, the area from Darlington to the Teesside coast will be given a boost by major investment from One NorthEast and through the new Tees Valley Urban Regeneration Company.

Proposals in the action plan include a possible "eco park" in the South Tees area, an enterprise academy to teach business skills to 11-19-year-olds, an art gallery in Middlesbrough and an ice rink and sports centre to replace the Billingham Forum.