THE search for a big-name developer to lead a £170m scheme, which will transform a North-East town centre and create up to 2,000 jobs, begins today.

Tees Valley Regeneration (TVR), which is behind the Central Park scheme in Darlington, is showing more than 50 potential developers around the site today, and will unveil its vision for the site.

Joe Docherty, chief executive of the organisation, said there had already been major international interest in the site due to its road and rail links, and the fact that it is such a massive development site in a market town.

He said: "We have already had significant regional and national developers approach us about the site - some of whom have never worked in the North-East before - but it has still caught their eye.

"This is the biggest opportunity in a generation in Darlington because it is not going to happen again, not for a long time.

"Over the next ten years, this scheme will absolutely transform how Darlington feels as a town."

It is believed that, within ten years, the area between Central Park and the town centre could also start to regenerate thanks to the scheme.

Regeneration agencies hope the site could lure large employers to the Tees Valley.

Developers are expected to register their interest after viewing the site today.

TVR will then to draw up a shortlist within the next three months, and decide on a preferred developer by late summer.

Central Park will stretch across 30 hectares and will include about 600 homes, a hotel and conference centre, shops and offices, a doctor's surgery, play areas and car parking.

The site will be linked to Darlington town centre via one of the two new pedestrian bridges to be built on the site.

The other bridge will link the development to the nearby railway station to take advantage of the East Coast mainline.

Central Park will also be home to a £35m college campus due to open in September.

Mr Docherty said: "Developers are attracted by the fact the site is a ten-minute drive to the airport and five-minute walk to the town centre and station.

"Darlington has a very attractive town centre and, with good employment levels in the town and a good housing market, it is proving very attractive to developers, and hopefully businesses looking to relocate.

"This is a big day for us and for Darlington. There won't be another £170m scheme like this in Darlington in our lifetimes. There certainly are very few large sites left like this in many market towns in the country, which is also why it has proved popular.

"We are really impressed with the interest shown so far, but we have to deliver and this is the big test.

"It is easy to draw up pretty plans, but this is the next stage of the development. I am very optimistic about it because it is such a great site and the thing that sets Darlington apart is the transport links. The first thing you will see when you come out of the train station will be Central Park, which will create a good first impression of the whole Tees Valley region."

Darlington's star has been on the rise in recent years, with multi-million pound developments at Faverdale, Lingfield Point and Morton Palms - all benefiting from the town's proximity to the A1, A66, main rail line and airport.

But it is Central Park which, it is felt, will have the biggest impact on the landscape and feel of the town.