A Darlington businessman fears the re-naming of Teesside International Airport could cause more damage than good.

Rob Maxey, head of Ernest Bennett and Co Ltd, an industrial saw blade manufacturer who employs 55 people at its factory based at Teesside Airport, has been in business in Darlington for 40 years.

He has travelled extensively to Europe and further afield on business and cannot see how changing the airport's name to Durham-Tees Valley, as had been suggested, will do the airport any good.

Peel Airports agreed to invest £20m when it became the major shareholder in the airport, and the name change is part of this investment programme.

Talks about the re-branding of the airport have been going on for several weeks, with a more recognisable name at the top of the agenda. The final say over the name will go to the six share-holding authorities - Durham, Darlington, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Redcar and Cleveland.

Durham-Tees Valley is understood to be favourite at present, as Peel believes Durham is a more recognisable name to travellers and businesses.

But Mr Maxey is sceptical about this: "The airport has been known as Teesside International Airport for about 30 years and if it's changed it will take another 30 years to build up that reputation again.

"Calling it Durham-Tees Valley isn't a dramatic name change, so it won't have an impact and do what they want it to, which is make it better known than it is now.

"I'm not against change, but they need to change it and get it right or it will do more damage than good." Neil Etherington, from Tees Valley Regeneration, has stressed that a new name must maximise the airport's potential, to attract additional services and more visitors from abroad. But he fears old arguments and divisions between some of the councils could come into play when they make their final decision.

Mr Etherington, said: "This is a time when the Tees Valley needs to look forward in unity rather than rehearsing past arguments and divisions." He added: "The message from the industry seems clear, they want a brand which will be recognised abroad and which will have the kind of positive image which will enable them to attract the passenger numbers they need to introduce new services."