THE Tees Valley is to be transformed after a £50m regeneration programme was given the go-ahead.

The Tees Valley Partnership received an early Christmas present when the scheme was given the go-ahead by the board of regional development agency One NorthEast when it met earlier this week.

The Action Plan will see a series of initiatives get under way, including schemes to enhance Darlington's role as a gateway to the North-East and the Tees Valley, as well as supporting a plan to help the unemployed from the town's deprived communities get back into work.

Chairman of the Tees Valley Partnership, Alistair Arkley, said: "With the way now clear for the Action Plan, I believe we will see the pace of on-the-ground activity increase rapidly, although it has to be stressed that this is a three-year programme and it will be some time before many of the elements of the plan can be completed."

As well as the plans for Darlington, there are about another 18 schemes outlined in the Action Plan.

These include:

* Working with One NorthEast and the University of Teesside to develop a digital/multi-media city.

Developing programmes to encourage young people to go into further and higher education.

Examining the feasibility of developing a Business Innovation Centre, along similar lines to the one currently operating in Sunderland.

Expanding programmes to regenerate communities in East Cleveland.

Mr Arkley said: "We have spent the past year in developing our vision of the way forward for the Tees Valley based on a recognition that the industries and assumptions which have driven our local economies for the past 200 years cannot sustain our economy into the 21st Century. This is just the launch pad we want for what promises to be a very exciting and challenging period."

He added: "The action plan builds on the objectives set out in both the Tees Valley Vision process and the Regional Economic Strategy and is aimed at dealing with the long-term strategic issues facing our area, not simply seeking a few quick fixes."