THE Prince of Wales witnessed an “unlikely” new vision for Venice yesterday – parts of the island could soon resemble Middlesbrough.

Business leaders believe the Italian island city, famed for its Renaissance architecture, could learn from the North- East in plans to regenerate one of its industrial ports.

Bosses behind the Tees Valley regeneration programme were flown to Venice to tell how they transformed areas of Middlesbrough and Stockton.

Prince Charles, touring Italy with the Duchess of Cornwall, arrived at the conference in Venice to deliver a speech and learn of the plans.

Italian business leaders and architects were shown examples of how regeneration was transforming Middlehaven, in Middlesbrough, and North Shore, in Stockton.

Neil Kenley, from Tees Valley Regeneration, said: ‘‘It seemed unlikely and it was a surprise when we were invited, but then we thought about how we had turned a brownfield site into a greenfield one.

“When people think of Venice, they think of St Mark’s Square. This regeneration programme will be based on other parts of the island.”

Prince Charles said: “It is possible to redevelop post-industrial areas, such as the Venice lagoon, in a way which recalls Venice’s reputation as a pinnacle of achievement in building cities, demonstrating the rich variety of expres-