A TROPICAL paradise, complete with home-grown exotic fruit, will soon be open in the region.
Rare cacti, grapes and bananas will be grown in a giant £2m hydroponicum at Nature's World, in Acklam, Middlesbrough.
A hydroponicum is an enormous greenhouse where plants can be grown without soil.
The building work should be completed in a few weeks and then work will start to fit the greenhouse out with rare and wonderful plants.
When finished, the centre will be powered by geo-thermal energy in a pioneering scheme which will see the centre tap its energy from the earth.
The project is funded by grants, including money from Middlesbrough Borough Council, the Millennium Commission and sponsorship.
The hydroponicum has two floors - one with temperatures similar to the South of France and one with a hotter, tropical climate.
It is hoped the hi-tech greenhouse will attract visitors from all over the country and become a major tourist attraction.
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