Artist's impression of new sport centre

The new centre, which will cater for 150 sports students, is to be built at Gateshead International Stadium.

As well as being a teaching centre of excellence, it will provide state-of-the-art sports facilities including an 83m-long athletics hall.

One NorthEast, Active England and the Tyne and Wear Partnership are funding the project and it is hoped it will help find stars of the future.

Cllr John McElroy, cabinet member for culture at Gateshead Council, said: "The new centre is great news for the North East and reaffirms our commitment to supporting and promoting health and physical activity.

"The new, state-of-the-art facility will help budding Gateshead athletes to develop their talent and reach their full potential.

"The facility will also have a true community and educational role in that students from Gateshead College will use the site to learn about sport."

Grass pitches

Killingworth-based architects FaulknerBrown, which designed the Manchester Aquatic Centre for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, will design the centre.

Facilities will also include outdoor artificial and grass pitches and a floodlit throwing area.

Gateshead Council will be considering tenders for the work later this month and the centre is expected to be opened by winter 2005/6.

Active England is a joint project between the Big Lottery Fund and Sport England.