THOUSANDS of jobs could come to the region after Sir John Hall agreed to sell a business park.

The millionaire's company Cameron Hall Developments has sold its virtually empty Wynyard Business Park to the owners of rival development Wynyard One, on the former Samsung site, near Billingham, Teesside.

Wynyard Limited, the company behind Wynyard One, yesterday confirmed it had led a consortium to buy the neighbouring park in a deal worth tens of millions.

The firm, together with developers Helios Properties and Kilmartin Property Group, plans to merge the two sites, just off the A19, into one business park.

The move has been welcomed as a major boost for the region's economy.

John Holmes, of regional development agency One NorthEast, said: "We are pleased that an agreement has been reached and this will help create new jobs for the Tees Valley.

"Hopefully, the Wynyard project will move forward and fulfil its potential as a first-class business park."

The sale follows legal moves by Sir John, the former chairman of Newcastle United Football Club, against Stockton Borough Council after it approved Wynyard Limited's plans for the site.

But last week, Cameron Hall Developments dropped its judicial review application over the decision to relax planning restrictions.

Wynyard Limited managing director Chris Musgrave, 39, said the company can now create one of the largest business parks in the region.

He said: "If you look at any successful business park across the world, it has fantastic facilities for workers to use to save them jumping in their cars and going to the local town. This means having things like restaurants, crches, an Internet shopping centre and a gym. We want the park to be all-inclusive, with things like picnic areas, walks, contemporary art and water features."

He said he was already in talks with four or five companies about moving to the site.