CONSTRUCTION work on a £7m science park starts today.

The University of Sunderland park is expected to create more than 200 jobs, providing units for new businesses and more established, knowledge-based ones.

Professor Peter Fidler, university vice-chancellor, said: "We have a number of initiatives and services which support fledgling and growing businesses. Business ideas are conceived and nurtured in our 'hatcheries' and then incubator space is required to progress these ideas into commercial enterprises.

"We are providing a dynamic commercial environment in which businesses can thrive and take special advantage of the links with the university, and that is very exciting."

The 1,440sq m park, at St Peter's Riverside, will also help businesses set up by undergraduates and graduates.

It is expected to draw some occupants from the university's new Media Centre, on the adjacent Sir Tom Cowie Campus, home to the regional centre of research excellence for digital media.

Park managers envisage that 26 businesses and seven existing ones will sign up for the 33 units, and that work on a further 65 units will start by the end of next year.

The TyneWear Partnership has provided £1.6m from the Single Programme fund and £500,000 has come from the European Union and £50,000 from the private sector.

Phil Hughes, of regional development agency One NorthEast, said: "The Sunderland Science Park development will substantially improve the university's ability to contribute to the growth of the knowledge-based economy, which has been singled out by One NorthEast as a key area for investment."