Stadium to receive £7.6m revamp

The 4,000 capacity East Stand will be covered by a canopy

A multi-million pound plan to upgrade Gateshead International Stadium has been approved.

The stadium, which has hosted some of the UK's top sporting events, will get £7.6m from regeneration agency One North East and Gateshead College.

The plans include a canopy to cover 4,000 seats and new hospitality, media and catering facilities.

The revamp will enable the stadium to host the Aviva British Grand Prix set to return to Gateshead next year.

The new hospitality facilities planned for the entrance area will provide teaching, seminar and multi-use rooms.

'Vibrant venue'

The 4,000 capacity East Stand will be covered by a canopy for the first time and new catering and toilet facilities will be provided.

Gateshead Council cabinet member for culture, Cllr Linda Green, said: "The stadium has always been a venue for a range of sports and entertainment events and I'm confident that these proposed developments will ensure that it remains a vibrant venue which can rise to the challenge of hosting a variety of new and existing events."

Lord Coe opened a new £15m indoor training and educational complex at the stadium in 2006.

It has also hosted concerts by acts including Tina Turner and Bon Jovi.

This latest development is in addition to plans to create a sports village on land next to the current stadium site.