Ten thousand jobs are expected to be created as part of a £1-billion-plus plan to develop the South Humber Bank.

The revelation comes as a three-year project to kick-start investment on the site begins to take shape.

The development will have a "staggering" effect on the coast line, council chiefs have said, with the vision for the area as a thriving port and busy industrial site.

There will be more power stations, bio-fuel plants and chemical industry plus major port developments. The majority of jobs will be in the port and the investment cash will mainly come from the oil companies.

Marcus Walker, from North Lincolnshire Council's planning and regeneration team, said: "It's going to be quite staggering really.

"This is of national importance. We've been waxing lyrical about it for the last 50 years but it's really only in the last year things have started to happen."

A feasibility study was planned in 2004 and it was deemed fit for more investment and development.

It was originally estimated 6,000 jobs would be brought to the region, but now that number has soared to almost double.

Intense interest in the site over the last year has buoyed the project on and a development officer will soon be in place to co-ordinate the infrastructure plans.

"Over the last few years there has been massive interest shown there like never before," said Mr Walker.

A £10-million investment was announced in March by Network Rail to support expansion and recent developments on the bank.

And Humber Chemical Focus, which represents chemical industry in the area, anticipates a minimum of £1-billion investment over the next few years on the site.

Mr Walker added: "The Humber is rapidly becoming the first choice location for the bio-fuels industry - a major opportunity for the north.

"And there is major demand on the bank due to the proximity of petro-chemicals, a large demand for water."

He said the wheat growing area and the port made it an ideal location for the bio-fuels industry.

Full details on what will be built and where are yet to be finalised.

This article as provided by www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk