By Martin Walker
Work on an exciting state-of-the-art indoor football facility in Newton Aycliffe is set to start within weeks.
The £1.7m Soccer Factory is the brainchild of local entrepreneur Dan Lewis, who aims to open the new complex by the autumn.
The 85,000 sq ft unit on Aycliffe Business Park, vacated by Thrislington in 2008, will include seven 3G five-a-side courts, a health and fitness suite and multi-purpose sprung studio as well as other facilities.
Durham County Council granted planning permission for the factory, which is expected to create up to 30 new jobs, in February.
And Mr Lewis, who spent seven years as Deputy Director of Sport at the University of Durham until 2011, is hoping to start work within weeks.
Go to our Video Vault to see an interview with Mr Lewis inside the Soccer Factory building