GREAT North Runners will get the first view of Gateshead International Stadium's new look on Sunday after Minister for Sport Richard Caborn unveiled the £15m facility yesterday.

It is Gateshead Council's flagship project and unique to the North-East.

The stadium will integrate top quality sports facilities, a community-based sports centre and a broad range of sport related education and training programmes with Gateshead College and the Learning and Skills Council.

Cabinet member for culture at Gateshead Council, Councillor John McElroy, said: "Gateshead International Stadium already has an excellent reputation as an international sports venue, a regional facility and a popular local authority leisure facility and this development will help to support sport at every level, from the streets to the stadium.

"Mr Caborn's launch of the new brand marks the beginning of this development.

"The facilities will contribute to the Government's agenda to increase participation, improve health and combat social exclusion."

Expected to be complete by December 2005, it has been designed by Killingworth-based architects Faulkner Brown and will be a permanent home to 300 students from Gateshead College's sport and leisure department.

It is funded by One NorthEast through the Tyne Wear Partnership and their Single Regeneration Budget, Active England - a joint initiative between the Sport England Lottery fund and the big Lottery fund, Northern Rock Foundation and Learning and Skills Council.

Coun McElroy added: "At the grassroots level, they will create educational links and support the development of club and community sport, encouraging greater volunteer involvement.

"They will also help to attract new events that will enhance tourism in the region. Sport has played an invaluable role in Gateshead's development since the early 1970s and will continue to do so thanks to this new facility."