THE local authority which has the most shares in Teesside Airport is backing a name change to Durham Tees-Valley.

Leader of Darlington Borough Council, Councillor John Williams, said: "Our first consideration is the future success and viability of the airport. If this name is the right name to deliver that then it has our full support.

"As we are now the largest local authority in the airport we hope the other councils follow our lead and give the new name their backing."

The news comes after airline bosses backed the name change.

However, a spokesman for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said that its cabinet had voted against the name change.

Eric Empson, chairman of Redcar and Cleveland cabinet, said: "We are against it. It is well-known already, especially after last week's visit by George Bush.

"It is well-established now, no one knows where Tees Valley is, they know where Durham is, but that's nowhere near the airport."

A decision on the name change will be made by the six shareholding Tees Valley local authorities in December.

Stockton Borough Council's cabinet will make its decision on the name change at its meeting today. Hartlepool and Middlesborough Councils are yet to make a decision.

A spokesman for Durham County Council said he could not comment on whether the authority was backing the name change until the shareholders meeting when the new name would be considered.