ONE of the largest - and perhaps the most unusual, mixed-use development in the region - is Middlehaven.

Work has started on the realisation of the £500m dream to transform 250 acres of waterfront wasteland into an architectural icon.

Thousands of jobs are expected to be created by Tees Valley Regeneration's flagship development, which is on the land surrounding Middlesbrough FC's Riverside Stadium.

Thousands of homes, leisure developments, shops and offices are expected to be built on the site.

The 250 acres of derelict former dockland and a neighbourhood which will be demolished to make way for the facelift, will be developed in three phases stretching up to the year 2020.

Work has started on a £5m three-storey office block, with a supermarket expected to follow.

More than 2,400 houses, 80,000sq ft of commercial development and 500,000sq ft of leisure space will be built over 20 years. There will be a primary school and a site for Middlesbrough College.

Plans for the site include a commercial development in the shape of Marge Simpson's pillar hairstyle, a champagne glass-shaped hotel and a theatre resembling an electric toaster.