MORE than 50 jobs are expected to be created in the next year at a multi-million pound innovation centre.

The centre, in Hartlepool, is a UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE) initiative and was opened yesterday by chairman Allan Johnston, and Christine Smith, the deputy chairwoman of regional development agency One NorthEast.

More than 100 people work at the centre, which is more than 75 per cent occupied, and another 50 jobs are expected to come within the year.

The Innovation Centre, on the town's flagship Queen's Meadow Business Park, is the second of its kind in the region - the first is on the Kirkleatham Business Park in Redcar, built in 2000.

The Hartlepool centre has 14 workshop units and 30 offices.

Facilities include broadband and digital telecom, meeting rooms, parking, security, a gym and "chill-out" room.

UK Steel Enterprise is a subsidiary of Corus Group, and was set up more than 30 years ago to drive the economic resurgence of areas affected by job losses in the steel industry.

UKSE regional manager Simon Hamilton said: "We want to make it as easy and simple as possible for young companies to concentrate on their core business by providing the facilities and support that they need."