CONSTRUCTION is progressing rapidly on Dalton Park, the North-East's new retail outlet and leisure destination.

Since starting on the County Durham site in March, the main contractor, Ballast, has completed steel work on seven blocks, containing 51 units.

Project manager Cygnus estimates that more than 750 tonnes of steel will be used during construction of the £50m project for London and Amsterdam.

Designed by Napper Architects, Dalton Park, on the former Murton Colliery site, near Houghton-le-Spring, will have 150,000sq ft of retail space with more than 100 purpose-built units set in a covered pedestrian walkway.

Ballast is responsible for ensuring that the scheme opens in spring next year.

Keith Wright, of Ballast, said: "We are delighted to be involved in such a significant project.

"We have been impressed with the high calibre of skilled workers in the North-East, which has allowed us to recruit heavily from the local area."

Dalton Park will create more than 1,000 jobs and will have a catchment of 2.4 million people with an estimated £1.45bn of spending power on clothing and footwear alone.

More than 25,000 sq ft has been let and a further 56,000 sq ft is in solicitors' hands or under offer.

Major names such as Adidas, the top sportswear brand, and leading fashion brands such as Joseph and Prohibito join outlets including designer furniture store Room, HKA Menswear and Pilot young ladies fashion.

Negotiations are also under way with other users.