THE campaign to build a 300m deep sea terminal and bring 5,500 jobs to the region has reached a significant milestone.

Proposals to build the container terminal at Teesport, in Middlesbrough had until now faced objection from port operator Hutchinson Ports, which owns rival terminals in Felixstowe and Harwich.

But Teesport-owner PD Ports has today confirmed that after lengthy discussions, Hutchinson has withdrawn its objection allowing its application for the required Harbour Revision Order to go ahead.

Chief executive of PD Ports David Robinson said: "This is a major step forward for us and for Northern shippers and retailers."