A NEW chemical process engineering centre is to be based at the Wilton complex near Redcar, it was announced on Monday.

The Process Industries Centre for Manufacturing Industry is backed by the Department of Trade and Industry, as well as a number of industry bodies.

The centre will specialise in the development of innovative techniques and management strategies that can be employed throughout the chemical and process industry sectors.

The centre was launched at a seminar at the DTI offices in London by Alan Johnson, the Minister for Competitiveness, and Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.