A UNIVERSITY has been given the keys to a new science park that is expected to create more than 200 jobs.

The St Peter's Gate Science Park, next to the University of Sunderland's riverside campus, is designed to attract knowledge-based businesses to the city and has already attracted considerable interest.

Construction company Balfour Beatty, which has built the first phase of the £7m development, handed the keys over during a ceremony at the new site.

The park has been developed by the university in partnership with the Business and Innovation Centre (Bic) and the City of Sunderland.

St Peter's Gate, managed by the university, will provide incubator units for new entrepreneurs, as well as accommodation for established businesses.

The 1,440sq metre development will also be the first stop for businesses set up by undergraduates and graduates.

Two recent preview sessions for property and business advisors attracted a lot of interest.

University business development manager Peter Bowes said: "We have been encouraged by the level of interest in St Peter's Gate, even before construction was complete.

"We know there is a rapidly growing demand for high-quality space from entrepreneurs and innovators wanting to locate to Sunderland and we are confident that St Peter's Gate is very well placed to meet that demand."

The park is likely to draw some of its occupants from the university's Media Centre at its riverside campus, which houses the regional centre of research excellence for digital media.

The TyneWear Partnership is supporting the park with £1.6m from the Single Programme fund. EU funding of £500,000, and £50,000 from the private sector, has also been received.