A CENTRE to help North-East businesses will be solar powered.

The International and Creative Business Centre, in Gateshead town centre, is getting a solar roof, with the help of a £102,000 grant from the Department for Trade and Industry.

It is one of 21 projects across the UK to benefit from a £2m fund for renewable energy.

Brian Wilson, Energy Minister, said: "Solar power is an increasingly important part of the renewable energy revolution. It is a clean and low impact source of energy that is making a valuable contribution to reducing our carbon dioxide emissions."

Gateshead Borough Council is building the centre which will support small businesses across the region.