The competition is being held at championship golf venue, Close House Hotel, in Heddon on the Wall, which is owned by North East Entrepreneur and founder of Sage Graham Wylie will be hosting the event.

Players from around Europe will be competing in the prestigious tournament including Joe 'The Total Package' Miller and Adam 'Stinger' Stacey from the UK.

The sport of long driving is all about power and control and has a huge following of spectators and players and John Glendinning, who heads up the golf team at the house, is delighted that it will bring business and worldwide focus on the region.

Graham Wylie is currently spending over £7 million on the golf facilities at the hotel with a second championship golf course and cutting edge glass club house with panoramic views over the Tyne Valley.

This event will mean the golfing fraternity from around the world will have their eyes firmly fixed on this prestigious event and location. A real feather in the cap for the North East.

School children from the region have been invited down to today's (Tuesday) launch and there will be a mini long drivers event on the grid being used for the finals at 12.30pm.

Some of the top players will be available for photograph, filming and interview opportunities from 11.30am.

The European Long Drive Championships will be held this Autumn on Friday 11th, 12th and 13th September with all of Europe's best
long drivers anticipated to attend.

Players will include Europe's no 1 & 2 from Sweden Mikael Lindblom and Patrik Andersson, the World no 3 in 2005 Adam Stacey and Europe's no 1 lady Jessica Wallstrom from Sweden. Also certain to attend will be the unofficial World longest drive record holder, Paul Slater, who smashed a golf ball over 884 yards in 2006.

Neil Hodgson, the Managing Director of Long Drivers of Europe, said: "I am thrilled to be hosting this event at Close House Hotel as our company is based in Stockton on Tees.

"Close House have by far the best facilities that we have had for any event in Europe and is on a par with the facilities provided at the world finals in Las Vegas. With its flat, smooth grid, spectator facilities and practice area, we anticipate a wonderful final and expect some awesome distances.

Everyone will be welcome to come and see the final admission is free for the whole family, and the Sunday climax will undoubtedly be something special not witnessed before".

John Glendinning who heads up the golfing facilities at Close House said: "It's great the North East will play host to a major
European golf event, we are working hard to put Close House on the map as a golfing destination. We have excellent links at Newcastle Airport to the UK and Europe and some of the best facilities in the country.

"We are all absolutely delighted and can't wait for the event to take place."