UP to 150 jobs are to be created in the region over the next year with the opening of Amec's newest North-East base.

The project management group officially opened its new design and engineering centre, on Wynyard Park, Teesside, yesterday, which will employ about 300 people within a year.

About 150 design workers have transferred to the site from Amec's base in Wallsend, Newcastle, and the remaining 150 posts will be created over the coming months, including positions for trainees and graduates.

The job creation will take Amec's workforce in the Tees Valley to more than 1,000, with more than 700 people employed at the headquarters of its engineering division in Darlington.

The new centre, which was opened by Minister for the North-East Nick Brown and is supported by regional development agency One NorthEast, was hailed as a significant step in Amec's continued growth in the region.

Neil Bruce, chief operating officer for Amec's natural resources division, said: "We are proud to continue our investment in the North-East and to help with job creation.

"Wynyard Park will become a key engineering hub for Amec, generating prosperity for both the UK and the North-East. Our team at Wynyard will work closely with our other global engineering centres to provide our clients with a consistently world-class service wherever it is needed."

Amec has been established in the North-East for more than 35 years and the company said its move to new premises in the region will enable it to meet the growing demand for its oil and gas services around the world.

The firm has recently carried out major projects at sites across the globe, including in the North Sea, West Africa, US, China, the Middle East and South East Asia, for companies including BP, ConocoPhillips and Shell.

Mr Brown, also MP for Newcastle East and Wallsend, said: "As a supporter of industry and education I am delighted that Amec is staying in the North-East with this world-class design and engineering centre.

"It is taking an active role in producing high quality and committed graduates who will be able to make a substantial contribution to our region and to the reputation of the UK."

Ian Williams, One North-East's director of business and industry, said: "Amec has been based in the North-East for more than three decades and in that time has gone through many changes.

"This move will help Amec expand its business and create new skilled jobs in the region, which is a key priority in the Regional Economic Strategy.