THE managing director of Teesside Airport has explained the decision not to re-name the site after explorer Captain Cook.

Airport bosses are expected to agree to change the name to Durham-Tees Valley in the next few weeks, as part of a £20m overhaul.

That is understood to be the preferred choice of new strategic partner Peel Airports, which feels the inclusion of an historic city name is commercially essential.

There have been strong calls from people in the region for the name to honour seafaring legend James Cook.

But managing director Hugh Lang told a conference of business leaders in Darlington: "James Cook was a lovely idea, but who in Germany or Scandinavia is going to say they know who James Cook is? It has to be something they can find on a map. But at the moment it is all pure speculation."

Darlington MP Alan Milburn has backed the change to Durham-Tees Valley.

On a visit to the town yesterday, he said: "I think it's a good idea if it brings more people, more jobs and more prosperity to the region - that's the test."

If councillors grant planning permission next week, work will start in January on a £6m programme of work to provide a new access road, improved car parking and security at the airport.