Middlesbrough £30m snow centre planned to open summer 2019

The centre will also feature a trampoline park, shops and cafes

Plans for a £30m snow and leisure centre, which is expected to create more than 300 jobs, have been approved by councillors in Middlesbrough.

The indoor complex in Middlehaven will include a 557ft (170m) ski slope, climbing area, indoor sky-diving centre, shops and cafes.

Developer Cool Runnings (NE) expect the centre to attract 2.5m visitors a year.

Building work is expected to start early next year, with a forecast opening by the summer of 2019.

Middlesbrough Council described the scheme as a "massive step" in the town's regeneration plans.

The project will cost £30m

Paul Mosley, of Cool Runnings NE, said: "This is fantastic news for us as developer and for Middlesbrough as a whole.

"The feedback we have had from local people has been superb. People have been screaming out for something like this in Middlesbrough.

"There is already a lot of development in Middlehaven and this will just be the icing on the cake."

The project is the latest phase in the regeneration of Middlehaven, with more than £150m already being spent on housing, leisure and business developments.

The nearest snow centre to Middlesbrough is currently in Castleford, West Yorkshire.