A CONSTRUCTION firm has been named as main contractor on a £7m North-East business park.

Robertson Construction, in Gateshead, will work on the Portobello Trade Park.

The site is based next to the A1(M) at Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, and enterprise bosses previously said it will create and support hundreds of North-East jobs.

Sitting on more than six acres of land, it will provide space for 15 light industrial units.

Steelwork is due to start this month ahead of the park opening next June.

Earlier this year, developer Ravensworth Property Developments, near Durham City, received a £982,000 loan from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELep) and £2.75m from the European Regional Development Fund to complete a £7m funding package.

Andy McLeod, Robertson’s managing director, said: “Winning this contract is great news for us and we are particularly excited to be working with Ravensworth.

“Bulk earthworks have already started, the first foundations will follow soon, and we anticipate the project will support more than 200 jobs in the construction phase.”

Speaking at the financial announcement in July, Paul Woolston, NELep chairman, said: “The location is ideal for a new business park.

“This scheme ticks many of the boxes in our priorities and objectives, including developing skills and employment, supporting enterprise and private sector business growth, and strengthening transport and connectivity.”