The Tees Valley submits bids for Government funds to support up to 11,000 new jobs.

THE fate of a “golden age” for the North-East economy, which could create thousands of jobs and millions of pounds in investment, lies in the hands of ministers.

Tees Valley Unlimited, the Local Enterprise Partnership, has asked for nearly £80m from the Government’s flagship growth fund to bring up to 11,000 jobs to the region.

Politicians, union bosses and business leaders have urged Lord Heseltine, David Cameron’s regeneration chief, to back the 20 bids for cash.

An Independent Advisory Panel, led by Lord Heseltine, will assess them and advise a group which will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

Recent jobs boosts include:

* Plans for a £100m waste processing plant on the River Tees;

* Chemical firm Solvert yesterday unveiled plans to build the UK’s first plant to convert waste into industrial chemicals, creating 80 jobs and 400 jobs in the construction sector;

* Thai firm SSI expects to create at least 800 jobs at Teesside Cast Products, should a deal be struck;

* Hitachi has pledged to create 800 jobs at a train-building factory in County Durham, with a further 8,000 jobs in the supply chain.

* Thousands of jobs could be created at a new potash mine in North Yorkshire;

* and TAG Energy Solutions’ £20m wind turbine plant in Tees Valley is creating 400 jobs.