UNIVERSITY students have been challenged to create a new entrance for a North-East business park.

Lingfield Point in Darlington has asked students from the University of Teesside to come up with a "highly visible, contemporary and iconic gateway".

Owner Lingfield Investments wants to give the estate, which houses more than 30 businesses and 1,400 workers, a new image away from its industrial roots.

John Orchard, of Lingfield Investments, said: "The initial glimpses of Lingfield Point from the A66 and McMullen Road still reinforce the industrial image.

"But during the last two years we have invested over £16m in redeveloping the complex into a modern business park. We want to make the entrance to the estate a focal point for the extensive refurbishment of many of the buildings."

The architecture and design students have already started work on drawings which will form an exhibition in the spring.

Richard Sober, senior lecturer at the university's school of arts and media, said: "This is a wonderful chance for our students to work on a real brief with the opportunity to actually see some of their work come to life."