A LEADING London-based team of architects has won a competition to design an industrial development in the region.

The McDowell and Benedetti Partnership beat competition from around the world to draw up plans for the development in Stokesley.

The design incorporates incubator units housed around a common reception area, management office and training area, and will be built using the latest sustainable and energy efficient features.

The district council is bidding for European cash for the development is also looking for other financial partners.

The regional development agency Yorkshire Forward has agreed to give £660,000 while BT is giving £50,000.

The judges in the competition came from the Royal Institute of British Architects, Yorkshire Forward, Stokesley Parish Council and Hambleton District.

Architect and Panel chairman Stephen Hodder said: "The quality of entries was extremely high, with environmentally-friendly and sustainable features featuring strongly. But the winning entry is a striking design. The building is at the front of the site behind a reed bed.

"It will give Stokesley Business Park a building of national significance and one to be very proud of."

Detailed design work is expected to begin in the New Year and building work should commence next summer.