THOUSANDS of jobs could be created as part of a multi-million pound investment strategy at two key sites in the region, it has been announced.

North East Technology Park (NETPark) at Sedgefield and the River Tyne Corridor are being identified as two 'Growth Sites' as part of the creation of an 'Investment Zone'.

The scheme is aligned to the £4.2bn North-East devolution deal, with Durham County Council and the region's other local authorities overseeing the development of the plans.

It will see the region benefit from £160m of government money over the next ten years, unlocking hundreds of millions of pounds of investment from the private sector and creating up to 4,000 new jobs.

At the Growth Sites, councils and businesses will have priority access to significant flexible funding which, it is intended, will take the form of a capital-based co-investment programme.

NETPark, one of the UK's premier science parks, is currently undergoing a major £62m third phase expansion.

Councillor James Rowlandson, Durham County Council's cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said: "It really is an exciting time for the park with the significant investment we have made allowing phase three of the site to come out of the ground.

"The funding will help existing businesses to grow and thrive, help attract new companies to locate on the newly developed phase three and provide infrastructure funding to unlock further future expansion.

"This recognises our growing reputation as a hotbed of innovation, and can only benefit our residents in terms of providing more and better jobs, and the local and regional economy by virtue of attracting businesses to both stay and invest here."

Dr Gary Gibson founded Dyman Advanced Materials on NETPark in 2018, the second company he has set up on the park, and has worked at the Sedgefield site in various roles for over 15 years.

Dr Gibson, whose venture specialises in the manufacture of synthetic diamonds, said: "NETPark is a great place to do business.

"The conditions are perfect for companies to thrive, with excellent infrastructure both on the park and wider area, strong support from Durham County Council through its business support service Business Durham, and a genuine sense of being part of a wider technology community.

"It is exciting to see the third phase taking shape close to our current facilities and we are hoping to grow with the park by expanding our presence into this new phase."

The Investment Zone was first announced as part of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement in November, with a focus on clean energy and green manufacturing reflecting the region's long-standing strengths and increasing prominence as an international hub for clean energy.

The zone will take a broad regional focus, supporting growth and ensuring that communities and businesses across the North-East will have access to new employment and supply chain benefits across key sites.

The new North-East Mayoral Combined Authority, which is being created through the devolution deal, will lead the development of the zone once it is formally established in May.

The proposals are expected to be given final Government approval in March with implementation from the spring.