A CONFERENCE facility with spectacular views of the North-East was unveiled in Darlington yesterday.

The £200,000 Viewpoint suite, on the top floor of Northgate House, has been created by non-profit organisation Darlington Business Venture (DBV) to provide training facilities for companies in the region.

As well as views of three counties, the suite features high-tech presentation equipment, such as DVD players, which are included in the hire price.

DBV general manager Brian Coady said: "I suppose the most significant thing is the view - you can see for miles, from the Cleveland Hills, down to North Yorkshire and Durham.

"We are looking for it to be a central point for businesses to improve their training and business meeting needs.

"Ultimately, the aim is to provide top-class business conferencing and training facilities in Darlington for the whole of the region."

He said firms were already signing up to use the suite, which can accommodate up to 100 people, with the first conference held last week.

Health Secretary and Darlington MP Alan Milburn, who opened Viewpoint, paid tribute to DBV for helping to create more than 5,000 jobs in the town through its support services.

"DBV has always remained very focused on its core business of encouraging businesses in this area," he said.

"With such economic transformation taking place, the only way to be successful is to be ready for change.

"In the future, real prosperity will come from large numbers of small companies and we will have big problems unless we support and allow for innovation.

"I am sure the local business community will support this superb facility and I congratulate the DBV on the work it has done over the years in creating wealth locally - and long may it continue."

Mike Airey, new chairman of Darlington Business Venture, said: "This project has taken a year to pull together with the support of European grants and the help of various partners.

"What has been put in place is excellent facilities representing by far the best conference venue in the area. Of all the venues I know, it provides the most panoramic views of Darlington."