Seve Ballesteros will play in the tournament

Wynyard Golf Club, near Stockton, has been chosen to host the prestigious Seve Trophy tournament in 2005.

The event, named after champion Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros, will be the biggest ever staged in the North East.

Regional development agency One NorthEast claims the decision will generate �10m for the local economy and create about 100 new jobs.

The tournament will pit the cream of Great Britain and Ireland's golfers against mainland Europe's best, captained by the Spaniard.

I'm sure this event will capture the imagination of the sport-loving public of the Tees Valley Stockton Council leader Bob Gibson

One NorthEast lobbied for the event to be staged in the region.

Chief executive Alan Clarke said: "Securing this fantastic sporting event is a huge boost for the Tees Valley and the region as a whole."

Wynyard's successful bid was put together by The Wynyard Partnership - comprising Wynyard Golf Club, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Tees Valley Partnership and Tees Valley Regeneration.

It beat off competition from Slaley Hall in Northumberland to host the tournament.

Stockton Borough Council leader Bob Gibson said: "This is wonderful news for Stockton and the wider North East and I'm sure this event will capture the imagination of the sport-loving public of the Tees Valley."

The event has been staged three times - at Sunningdale in 2000, Druids Glen, Ireland, in 2002 and at Valencia's El Saler course in 2003, where the Great Britain and Ireland team led by Colin Montgomerie won the trophy for the second time.