Teesside Airport is expected to change its name to Durham-Tees Valley in a matter of weeks, as part of a multi-million pound redevelopment programme.

The name has been chosen above other candidates - such as Newcastle South, James Cook International Airport and even New York Airport - to make Teesside a destination renowned across Europe.

In the next fortnight, the airport's managing director, Hugh Lang, will discuss the change at a board meeting with officials from Peel Airports, the new strategic partner investing £20m in the site over the next five years.

They are then expected to put the Durham-Tees Valley name forward for approval by the six share-holding local authorities - Durham, Darlington, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Redcar and Cleveland.

Talks about the "re-branding" of the airport have been on-going for several weeks, with a more recognisable name top of the agenda.

Mr Lang said last night: "As part of the re-branding exercise we have cast the net far and wide, looking at contemporary characters and historical characters, and looking at the community we serve."

Legendary explorer Captain James Cook's name was considered but dismissed, it is understood.

Peel is understood to favour Durham-Tees Valley because Durham City is more recognisable to travellers and businesses.

Mr Lang said: "It was also suggested that as we are halfway between Newcastle and York, it should be New York Airport. It has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous."

Low-cost operator bmibaby launches flights to Belfast on Sunday, and from next March the airline will have two aircraft permanently based at Teesside.

And Mr Lang said: "We want to have a strong brand in place for that - it is not a matter of months, it is a matter of weeks."

It is hoped that Durham-Tees Valley can replicate the success of Liverpool's John Lennon Airport.

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