Work on Britain's first inflatable sports domes began this morning (October 30) in the North-East.

The two domes will be erected at Seaton Carew, Hartlepool as part of a £7m sports and housing complex which will create 30 jobs.

Work has now begun on inflating the larger of the two domes which will be able to house six five-a-side football pitches.

The second dome will be aimed at golfers and will include a putting course, golf simulators, chipping green, indoor driving range and a shop.

It’s hoped both will be erected by the end of the week. The existing Mayfair Centre building at the site will be turned into a gym with membership for 2,000 people along with a steam room, sensory room to stimulate disabled children and a gym aimed specifically at youngsters.

Conference and banqueting facilities will also be upgraded at the centre and the bar will be able to accommodate 300 people.

The scheme will also see the creation of 244 houses in a phased development over the next three years.

A spokeswoman for the developers explained how the buildings are being erected.

She said: “The domes are made of a durable polyvinyl material and once the structure is in place they will be filled with air in the way that a hot air balloon is inflated.”

Entrepreneur Brian Morton is behind the idea and said there was nothing like anywhere else in the UK.