EVERYTHING is blooming in a space-age garden - despite a rocky start.

A sub-contractor pulled out of the building of the futuristic eco-centre and hydroponicum on Teesside, which was also hit by funding delays and construction problems, but it will be officially opened tomorrow, 19 months after it was due to be launched.

The two-storey greenhouse - which is half buried under soil, taps its heat from the earth's crust and has a polythene roof - has been finished a little over budget at £2m.

Pineapples and strawberries are being grown without soil and a previous trial growing bananas was a success and will be a continuing feature, along with coffee crops.

The centre, built at Nature's World, Middlesbrough, was funded by the National Lottery's Millennium Commission, the EC and Northumbrian Water, and given the working title Project Suzy.

Spokesman Eric Clark said: "As a visitor attraction as well as a major educational resource, the eco-Centre and hydroponicum will give people from our region and around the country opportunities to see innovative ways of using natural resources, including solar and geothermal power."

John Foster, chief executive of Middlesbrough Council, said: "Project Suzy is another first class attraction in this fascinating project which combines horticulture, sustainability, employment and training opportunities in a unique way."

The new Mayor of Middlesbrough, Ray Mallon, will open the Ladgate Lane project.