COUNCIL chiefs are heading for a clash over plans to rename Teesside International Airport.

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon has become the most outspoken critic, calling the proposal of Durham-Tees Valley International Airport madness and backward-looking.

Mr Mallon accepts the name should change, but is calling for something more imaginative and inspirational.

Durham County Council leader Ken Manton called on the authorities with an interest in the airport not to squabble and accept whatever the proposal is.

The name-change is part of a rebranding exercise being carried out by Peel Airports, the strategic partner in the airport, which is investing £20m over the next five years.

Any change will have to be considered by the airport's six share-holding councils - Stockton, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Hartlepool, and Durham County.

Councillor Manton said: "I'm sure you'll get people in Stockton wanting it to be called Stockton, and those in Darlington wanting Darlington in the title, and so on. But Peel said they would consider it very carefully.

"All the authorities should back these magnificent plans for the development of Teesside Airport, including the rebranding."

Mr Mallon said: "Durham-Tees Valley is boring and would not capture the imagination of the public.

"We have to come up with something which brands the area as forward-thinking - something like Unity or St George."