PLANS for a high-tech research park on the site of a former mental hospital could bring about 5,000 jobs to County Durham.

Council officials have said they hope to transform the former Winterton Hospital, at Sedgefield, into a centre dedicated to research and development.

If the scheme is successful it would bring thousands of jobs - one estimate has put the figure as high as 15,000 - in the next seven years.

Durham County Council is working on the scheme with Sedgefield Borough Council and the NHS Executive, which owns the site.

Planning permission for the first phase of offices and light industrial buildings has already been granted.

Now officials are trying to woo firms to invest in the scheme.

A recent county council Labour group meeting heard that there was interest from American firms and a "vision of employment for 15,000''.

But the council leader, Councillor Don Robson, said: "I don't think it is as ambitious as that. My understanding is it is about 5,000 jobs.''

Coun Robson said the scheme was in its infancy and the authority was looking to attract partners, as well as tapping into Durham University's expertise.

He said: "It is a seed growth. We are hoping we can give a service to existing manufacturers and employers in the region. At the moment we have an idea and we have to work on it."

A county council spokesman said if the first phase of the scheme, on 33 acres of the site, was successful, consideration would be given to extending the park.

Tony Moore, Independent county councillor for Shildon North-East, said: "It is a chance in a million and we shouldn't lose it.

"It could be the saviour for quite a number of the ex-pit villages around the area.

"It's up to all the political parties and the different councils to forget their differences and work together to encourage this site to be developed.''