Tyneside has been heralded as one of the "world's most creative" areas by an international bestselling magazine.

The American-based Newsweek publication says Newcastle, and its neighbouring town Gateshead, are among the most cultural towns and cities in the world.

They were the only British entries on the list, which also included Cape Town, in South Africa, and Marseille, in France.

Gateshead and Newcastle's joint bid to secure the title of European Capital of Culture in 2008 has catapulted Tyneside into the international spotlight.

The world's new culture meccas

Austin, Texas, USA Tijuana, Mexico Cape Town, S Africa Zhongguancun, China Antwerp, Belgium Newcastle/ Gateshead, UK Kabul, Afghanistan Marseille, France

The "Blinking Eye" Millennium Bridge, Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and The Angel of the North are some of the developments that helped to capture the imagination.

Gateshead Borough Council spearheaded the Millennium Bridge, pushed through the transformation of the former Baltic Mill and is currently masterminding a multi-million pound music centre on the banks of the Gateshead Quays.

The new edition of Newsweek - which is read by more than 19m people - coincided with visits to Tyneside from the judging panel for the Capital of Culture bid.

The magazine's 2 September issue describes Newcastle and Gateshead as "new centres of culture and vitality".

Other mentions were Austin, Texas, Tijuana in Mexico, and Antwerp in Belgium.

The Baltic opened to the public in July

Councillor Mick Henry of Gateshead Council said: "It is fantastic news that one of the world's most well-respected news and current affairs magazines has given Gateshead and Newcastle this stunning accolade.

"It is not just something that local people have noticed and benefited from, it is something that has been recognised and applauded across the whole world.

"But our bid with Newcastle to be awarded that cultural title is much, much more than just about those major developments.

"It is about getting tens of thousands of people across the region involved in arts, sport, culture and learning every day."

"When Newcastle and Gateshead are hopefully awarded the European Capital of Culture 2008 title, it will mean that the region can expect millions of extra visitors, generating up to �700m of extra income for the area, and creating up to 17,000 jobs for local people."