A £400M development to breathe new life into a town eyesore has been given the go-ahead.

The scheme will see a major transformation in the north shore along the River Tees, in Stockton.

It will create 4,745 new jobs for the area once the development has been finished.

The scrub and wasteland will be transformed into an area where people can live, play and work.

At Stockton Borough Council's planning committee meeting today, councillors approved the scheme.

The Northshore scheme is led by Tees Valley Regeneration, in partnership with national regeneration agency English Partnerships, with urban regeneration specialist Muse Developments and property developer Urban Splash in joint venture as the developers.

The project will see waterfront houses and apartments, offices, leisure and retail facilities, including cafes, restaurants, bars and shops, together with hotels, car parking and a car dealership built.

Speaking at the planning committee meeting Councillor Bob Gibson said: "I vote for this. This site is part owned by the public sector. How much public funding has to go in to this to get something done. It is absolutely amazing.

"Year on year the site has been downgraded. I will go along with it just to get something on it."

Councillor Maureen Rigg added that she would like to see a form of public art within the development to remember the town's pottery history.

Building work on the 23 hectare site, which is situated on the east side of Stockton, is expected to begin later this year, and will take 15 years to complete.