DEVELOPERS behind one of the region's business parks are bracing themselves for a surge of interest in the site.

The Morton Palms development, on the edge of Darlington, is expected to bring about 1,500 jobs to an area heralded as the "gateway to the Tees Valley".

The first tenants are due to move into units on the site later this year.

Developer City and Northern, of Newcastle, is prepared for further interest in the 28-acre site after promoting it heavily to potential investors.

The company has invested £10m in the first phase of work, creating two four-storey office buildings with more than 70,000sq ft to let.

One block will comprise 38,000sq ft, with 137 parking spaces, while the second will include 32,200sq ft of space and 108 parking bays.

Managing director Elliott Ward said there had been tremendous feedback from business leaders who had recently visited the site.

Working with Darlington Borough Council, the site owner, regional development agency One NorthEast, has already invested £2.5m to provided the roads infrastructure needed.

Christine Smith, deputy chairwoman of One NorthEast, said: "Darlington is a key strategic location for the economy of the North-East and I believe that the town, and the Morton Palms site in particular, will play a major part in the ongoing regeneration of the region.

"It is important that, where we have key sites like Morton Palms, their potential is fully exploited and I am confident that the co-ordinated team approach we are taking to this will pay excellent dividends."