A LEADING councillor says Middlesbrough is fast becoming the place to visit.

Councillor David Budd, Middlesbrough Council executive member for regeneration, said: "We want Middlesbrough to have the kind of facilities and environment which people expect in a modern thriving city.

"Through a new generation of projects, such as Greater Middlehaven, the Stockton-Middlesbrough Initiative and the ongoing revitalisation of the town centre, we are achieving that aim.''

He was speaking ahead of a celebration of the spending of £43m from the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB). The funding has seen unemployed people trained in new skills, Middlesbrough town centre upgraded, 3,300 homes secured against burglars and prominent buildings in the town floodlit, over the last seven years.

SRB funding was also used, in a partnership scheme with the University of Teesside, to launch the Digital City project, aimed at creating new media businesses in the town.

The celebration is being held at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium, on Tuesday, and will be attended by Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon.

Kate Brown is the chairwoman of the Streets Ahead Partnership, the banner project which secured the £43m. She said: "SRB investment has helped change the face of the town, making it a more confident, competitive place.

"The Mayor has great ambitions for the town to do even better, which we know so many people share.

"We're glad to have helped put Middlesbrough in a position where those hopes can be realised.''

Margaret Fay, chairwoman of One NorthEast, who will make an opening speech at the event, said the projects would leave a "lasting legacy'' in the town.