Tees fear of Tyne domination

The Tyne Bridge, Newcastle (l), and Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough

A Stockton MP says Teesside will remain a "poor relation" to Tyneside if plans for the future of the North East remain unchanged.

Frank Cook, the member for Stockton North, believes a prospectus from the Core City group should act as a "wake-up call to everyone on Teesside".

The Core Cities group includes Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Bristol, Sheffield and Leeds.

One of its documents looking at the north of England is called Newcastle and the North East - a City Region of the Future.

Development agency

Mr Cook wants to see the creation of a "genuine Teesside City identity and power base".

He is worried that the report confirms a domination by the Tyne and a second class status for the Tees.

Mr Cook also fears the best jobs, investment, and housing will go to the north of the region and says the document gives Teesside's merits only a few lines.

He also blames the regional development agency One North East for its part in creating the Tyneside-centric report.