REGENERATION minister Jeff Rooker has set a challenge to build on the success of a city's urban renaissance.

He was in Newcastle to see improvements to residents' quality of life, making the city safer, cleaner and greener and to find out plans for future regeneration.

Mr Rooker said: "I have been greatly impressed with the work that core cities, like Newcastle, have done to create a long-term vision for urban renaissance and sustainable economic growth.

"But as Newcastle's excellent prospectus shows, while there are clear grounds for continued optimism, there's still a lot more that can be done to build on the assets and opportunities of the city and its region."

The minister toured the East End and the Discovery Quarter to see improvements already made and the areas planned for regeneration.