THE North-East has been chosen to host a multi-million pound initiative to improve design.
The Design Council has chosen the region to be the first in the country to stage Designs of the Time in two years' time.
The scheme, which will be launched tonight at the Robert Stephenson Centre, the Newcastle base of the 19th Century engineer, will give designers, businesses and public service companies the chance to try to improve the region as a place to live, work and visit.
Development agency One NorthEast is investing £3.5m in the project and its chief executive, Alan Clarke, said: "We have a vision that North-East England will establish itself as an internationally renowned design destination and that is why One NorthEast worked very hard to make sure the North-East was the first UK region or country to host this world-class initiative.
"We want to be recognised as a region where it is easy to turn ideas into business success, where innovation is unlocked, aspirations stimulated and productivity raised."
Design Council chief executive David Kester said: "North-East England has already proved its commitment to using design to create a more dynamic regional economy."
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