The man running Europe's newest contemporary arts gallery is hoping Tynesiders become the core audience of the "Tate of the North".

The Baltic, housed in an old flour mill on the Gateshead bank of the River Tyne, aims to put north-east England on the art world's map.

It opens its doors to the public at 0001 BST on Saturday after 10 years and �46m spent in development.

And centre director Sune Nordgren has called on Tynesiders who may not have had any previous interest in art to come along and "give it a chance".

'So happy'

He said: "I think people in the North East will love it.

"We have already had some in and they were really impressed that finally we have got the Baltic ready to open.

"People are so happy that we have this fantastic building ready. They just want to get in there and see this space.

Sune Nordgren wants to see local visitors

"What we feel and what we are realistic about is that this is a place for local and regional people.

"They should come along to the Baltic and give it a chance, and feel confident about the place.

"They will be the core audience."

He said as well as always having free admission the centre had great views of the Tyne.

The centre is described as an "art factory" rather than a gallery because it has studios as well as exhibition spaces.

Gong attraction

The centre is connected to the Newcastle side of the Tyne by the Millennium Bridge.

It is at the centre of the Newcastle and Gateshead bid to become European City of Culture in 2008.

Just over �33m of its �46m budget came from the lottery.

The opening exhibitions will include a 9.5-metre long model of the Tyne Bridge and a room with rows of gongs.