Teesside University has opened a gateway to its support services with a new Centre for Enterprise.

David Irwin, chief executive of the Small Business Service, opened the centre in Victoria Road, Middlesbrough, yesterday.

Dr John Bridge, chief executive of regional development agency One NorthEast, joined the university's vice chancellor John Hackney at the event.

The multi-million pound centre is a dedicated facility for small and medium-sized businesses.

It has its own suite of conference and training facilities to support the training and development of information and communication technologies, advanced business, management and leadership skills.

Catherine Kearney is the manager of the new centre. She has a wealth of experience in support and business development roles in the Tees Valley.

She was formerly in charge of business development at the School of Business and Management.

Catherine said: "The Centre for Enterprise is a gateway for business to the university's varied support services.

"It will offer companies across the region, not just Teesside, advice, services and assistance."

She added: "The centre has designed an efficient system to achieve a speedy response from the relevant university academic department for inquiries from business, with the centre acting as the initial point of contact."