PICTURES have revealed how work on a brand new attraction at Teesside Airport is coming along - as the diggers move in.

Work is underway on a brand new viewing platform, 'sky' bar and office space in the soon-to-be transformed part of the terminal building.

Around 50 contractors have moved onto the site with "ageing" areas being razed to the ground and rebuilt or radically transformed.

Read more: How impressive ROOFTOP viewing platform at Teesside Airport will look

The Northern Echo first revealed there were plans for a viewing platform to return last year as hundreds of people shared their excitement 

The Northern Echo: How the new sky bar will look Picture: CORSTOPHINE AND WRIGHTHow the new sky bar will look Picture: CORSTOPHINE AND WRIGHT

Plans revealed how a two-storey Sky Bar would be erected with an outdoor viewing platform for visitors and enthusiasts to see aircraft arrive and depart.

The development, which will also include a business suite, which will be accessible from the main entrance and is expected to open this summer.

Read more: Viewing platform at Teesside Airport to make return after years of closure 

The Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen previously confirmed the viewing platform will be free to use with the addeded benefit of offering "food and drink."

Last night, Mr Houchen said the development would help "futureproof" the airport's offering.

The Northern Echo: Picture: TEESSIDE AIRPORTPicture: TEESSIDE AIRPORT

He said: “A brand new landside Sky Bar and viewing platform that local people can visit without having to pass through security will make the airport a destination in and of itself once again and we’re creating top-quality office space for both the airport itself and future tenants.

“The new office space will temporarily become home to the Combined Authority before we look to move to Darlington in the long-term.

The Northern Echo: Picture: TEESSIDE AIRPORTPicture: TEESSIDE AIRPORT

"Our further developments will help futureproof the airport by creating more income streams as well as attracting businesses that are creating good-quality, well-paid jobs right across the region.”

Airport bosses have since confirmed a number of contractors from across the Tees Valley have been drafted in to carry out the project.

They include Darlington-based 186 Property Solutions, Wharton Construction, GRP Demolition, ADL Developments, Harvey Electrical Services, Parsec engineers and Eton Environmental Group, along with Middlesbrough’s Sweeting Roofing and Stockton’s Ambient.

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