A MULTI-MILLION pound bid has being launched to create the region's leading learning, leisure and sports complex - and help revive a former steel town.

Council and college bosses yesterday unveiled a £20m partnership project to develop a 650-acre site on the former British Steel works site in Consett, County Durham.

Part of the area, known as Berry Edge, has already been sold off for homes and a retail park, and, in 2002, a new £6.65m campus was created for Derwentiside College.

The latest scheme, involving Derwentside District Council and the college, would develop the remainder of the site.

Council leader Alex Watson said: "This is an absolutely unique project that will integrate the commercial sector with the education sector.

"It is sustainability in the true sense of the word, from a social, economic and environmental perspective."

The development is still very much in the planning stages and is reliant on both the support of the full council and a successful bid for Government funding.

If these fall into place, the site could be opened as early as 2007.

Under the scheme, the existing college car park would be moved to make way for two swimming pools, a spa, gym, soft play area, sports hall, indoor bowls, squash courts and changing rooms.

A footbridge over Genesis Way will lead to the new home of Consett FC - a full-size football pitch, grandstand and function room, plus changing facilities.

Nearby, will be up to nine junior-size football pitches, an all-weather pitch and tennis courts.

For the college, there will be new hair and beauty facilities, plus a greatly expanded sports and leisure curriculum.

College principal David Houpt said: "This is not just a pipe dream.

"This is a deadly serious business and will be a very exciting development for the whole community - if we can bring it off."

The college has submitted a funding bid to the Learning and Skills Council for its part of the project.

Mr Houpt said: "We will know their initial response to this within a matter of weeks."