Newcastle - a great city - once in the forefront of 19th century industrial innovation, now, the forefront of technical innovation, leisure and culture.

Wander down to the transformed waterfront, the Quayside, now lined with stylish hotels, designer bars, restaurants and public art. The Gateshead Millennium Bridge, a work of art in itself, arches across the Tyne to link the City to Gateshead Quays and the Baltic Centre for Con temporary Art.

There is a real buzz around Newcastle. The city is the regional focus for drama, music, comedy and the arts. Our magnificent Theatre Royal is the third home to the Royal Shakespeare company and the major touring artists from Pavorotti to S Club Seven have all performed at the Telewest Arena or City Hall. The Laing Art Gallery, Hancock Museum and the two University galleries host exhibitions of international importance. Out in the community, our local culture is reflected in venues like Live Theatre and the Cluny and in events like the Mela (Asian Festival), the Green Festival and the Irish Festival.

Wander into a city pub and there can be live music from jazz to garage. Bands perform around the City on sunny Saturdays and buskers (some pretty talented) enliven our Metro stations.

Newcastle is a rich historic city with a dramatic landscape along the banks of the Tyne The city is surrounded by some of the most beautiful and unspoilt countryside and coastal stretches in the UK.