A new £82m train manufacturing facility has been opened in Durham.

The factory was developed by Hitachi and opened on 3 September in Newton Aycliffe.

Prime Minister David Cameron helped open the facility along with the Chancellor George Osbourne and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.

Hitachi took the decision to develop the factory after the government awarded the company the £5.7bn Intercity Express contract.

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The facility will build the next generation of trains for the East Coast and Great Western main lines, as well as the Scottish commuter trains.

The Prime Minister said: "This new train factory will not only provide good jobs for working people but will build the next generation of intercity trains, improving travel for commuters and families, as well as strengthening the infrastructure we need to help the UK grow."

A £4m grant from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills was provided to help build the factory.

(LM)