STOCKTON North MP Frank Cook has spoken of his optimism about a proposed business park at Wynyard.

Mr Cook held what he described as "breakthrough talks" with site owner Sir John Hall last Friday.

Sir John has announced ambitious plans for a 500-acre business park, together with high quality residential and leisure facilities, at Wynyard.

Following the two-hour meeting, Mr Cook said he believed there was now the opportunity for maximising the development opportunities at the site.

He hoped it would be possible to move forward in a spirit of "co-operation rather than conflict".

He said: "I believe my discussions with Sir John were extremely productive and offer the opportunity for round-the-table discussions - including Sir John; the JCM Group, which has purchased the Samsung site; One NorthEast; English Partnerships, and Stockton and Hartlepool borough councils - on how we can best develop what is undoubtedly one of the most important strategic sites in the Tees Valley and, indeed, the whole of the region.

"Sir John made clear to me his total commitment to the success of his own plans, but also recognised the benefits in working with other parties to discuss ways in which they can maximise the potential of Wynyard.

"He takes the view that this will probably require the development of a new master plan for the area, and I think he is probably correct."

He added: The reason I think this is a real breakthrough is that, over recent months, since the announcement of Sir John's proposals and the withdrawal of Samsung, there has been a very real danger that people would not be prepared to adopt the co-operative and constructive approach.

"Now that Sir John has responded so positively to my efforts to bring the parties together, I believe there is now a much better prospect of ensuring that Wynyard can become the kind of flagship quality development which can attract world-class business and investment to our area.

* Signs Express Teesside has struck a £10,500 deal to produce six large-scale signs advertising the new Wynyard Business Park.

The largest sign at the entrance to the 500-acre park is 40ft wide by 10ft tall, and all use the latest in colour digital graphics.

David Medcalf, managing director of Signs Express, said: "Producing such high-quality material on such a large scale is a real challenge, but as a result of our investment in top-of-the-range technology, we have risen to the task."

Paul Brown, development director of Wynyard Business Park, said the signs were a vital part of their marketing strategy.

"It is great to be able to have a local company right on our doorstep that can produce such high quality signage," he said.

The park will be based on the successful US model of creating a place where people can live, work and play. It is being pioneered by Sir John Hall, the visionary behind Gateshead MetroCentre, the blueprint for out-of-town shopping centres around the UK.