THE team charged with regenerating a run-down area in the heart of Sunderland met officially for the first time yesterday.

The inaugural meeting of the Sunderland Urban Regeneration Company (URC) board was held in the city's Exchange Buildings and marked a milestone in work to revive the area of the city known as the Sunderland Area Regeneration Compact.

The board will work to regenerate the area along the south bank of the river Wear, from the A19 to the port, which was hit by job losses following the closure of Groves Cranes and Vaux Brewery.

Board members include representatives from the regional development agency One NorthEast, Sunderland City Council and the University of Sunderland.

The URC's remit is to restore private sector confidence in the area by attracting investors and identifying development opportunities, particularly on brownfield sites.

Bryan Sanderson, URC chair-man, said: "I feel very privileged to be given this task and will do my best to build upon the good work that has already been done by the city and One NorthEast. This is a great city with wonderful people and it deserves the best."

Dr John Bridge, chairman of One NorthEast, said: "This inaugural meeting marks the start of the next phase in the redevelopment of Sunderland's riverside and Sunderland URC will be its driving force, bringing new life to the banks of the Wear and stimulating the city's economic revival.