EXCITING development plans that could breathe new life into Bishop Auckland town centre were unveiled to the public yesterday.

Designers behind the scheme are now urging residents, traders and shoppers to visit a week-long exhibition at Bishop Auckland Library, in the town hall, and share their views on the proposals.

Newcastle consultants Red Box, which was involved in the transformation of Sunderland city centre, compiled the proposed regeneration scheme for Wear Valley District Council.

The design team has focused on the areas most in need of a revamp but with potential for much better use, many of which are in the northern half of the town.

Their approach is three pronged - aimed at enhancing the amount and quality of retail offer, encouraging more people to live in the town centre and to improve the public realm and overall image.

Plans for the Market Place would see wider feature paving outside the town hall, stalls formalised, disabled car parking only, and planting to create an open, cosmopolitan feel.

Unsightly buildings would be improved and there would be regeneration work along the length of the once- bustling Fore Bondgate.

The site of the North Bondgate bus depot could be developed for retail or leisure and the bus station behind the Newgate Centre shopping mall would be improved with properties revamped and walkways created.

The council hopes the plans will inspire the private sector to invest in the town with work to their own premises or new retailers moving in.

Bob Hope, director of regeneration, said: "There is a lot of development pressure on Bishop Auckland and we need to accommodate that in a co-ordinated way, looking at the town as a whole and concentrating on those areas that need to be improved.

"There are 17 areas identified so we do want to know what the public thinks so we can prioritise before moving on to try to access external funding.

"I think it will happen and will be good for Bishop Auckland and the surrounding area."

Retiring MP Derek Foster, who has represented the town for 26 years, is enthusiastic about the ideas, which he believes could be the most exciting the town has seen in decades.

He said: "I think the ideas are really exciting. Anyone with the interests of Bishop Auckland at heart wants to see it restored as a thriving town centre and this could help put it back on the map."