THE three casinos competing for the chance to operate a supercasino in the region were named yesterday.

Las Vega Sands - bidding in partnership with Middlesbrough Football Club - Isle of Capri, and Aspers, led by Damian Aspinall, of the Aspinall's gambling empire.

A team led by Tees Valley Regeneration will assess the bids, taking into account every aspect of the development, from the design of the casino and hotel, to plans for an entertainment arena and leisure facilities.

The casino will be at Middlehaven, in Middlesbrough.

The decision on how many regional supercasinos to allow in the UK is being reviewed by a team led by MP Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Joe Docherty, chief executive of Tees Valley Regeneration, said: "It will take a while to look at the submissions carefully and choose the best offering for Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley.

"The aim is to create a destination which will be an attraction not just for the thousands of people virtually on the doorstep but also for millions of people from around the world."