A business development that will include a college and day care nursery was launched last week in Gateshead.

Developers say the Baltic Business Quarter could create up to 7,000 jobs in the surrounding area.

On the corner of Hawks Road and Quarryfield Road, the development will offer a location for established and up-and-coming business.

The first office buildings, designed by the Red Box Design Company, will be joined by a network of avenues and green areas and amenities including newsagents, cafes and sandwich shops.

Other occupants on the site are expected to be Gateshead College, as well as a hotel and a day care nursery.

Developed by Terrace Hill, in partnership with Gateshead Council, the 50-acre site is expected to take ten years to complete.

The £3m first stage of the project will be carried out by Tolent Construction and is due for completion in the summer.

When it is finished, the site will have easy access to Gateshead Quays, Newcastle city centre and the MetroCentre and is close to major road and rail transport links.

In addition to the commercial developments, Baltic Business Quarter will also house Knowledge Campus - a facility for companies bringing new, technology-based products to market.

Leader of Gateshead Council, Councillor Mick Henry, said: "Gateshead Council has achieved an international reputation as the driving force behind a number of ambitious projects that have led to a boom in regeneration, creating a vibrant environment for businesses.

"Baltic Business Quarter will complement a catalogue of successful projects, offering organisations in the North-East and beyond one of the best business locations in the region. The site will have a hugely positive impact on residents and industry in the surrounding areas."

Philip Leech, director of Terrace Hill, said: "We are looking forward to creating a world-class urban business quarter which will be an asset not only to Gateshead, but to the entire region."