RESIDENTS will next week have their first chance to see four artists' impressions of how their new town square could look.

The people of the Headland, the most historic part of Hartlepool, will be asked which design they like best.

Their views will be considered before a final decision is made.

No figure has been given on how much the square will cost. It will be created in front of the Borough Buildings between Middlegate, the promenade, St Hilda's Church and Northgate.

However assurances have already been given by regional development agency One NorthEast, the European Union's Interreg fund and the North Hartlepool Partnership, that money will be forthcoming.

An exhibition will be held in the Croft Room of the Borough Hall, on the Headland, on Wednesday between noon and 7.30pm and on Thursday between 10am and 7.30pm.

A spokesman for Hartlepool Borough Council said: "Studies and consultation in recent years have identified a strong need to improve that area, to create an environment befitting the centre of the Headland."

In a statement to the people of the Headland, Councillor John Marshall, chairman of the North Hartlepool Partnership, which is spearheading the improvement of the area, said: "The future of the town square area, an area we can all be proud of, can be secured by your participation."

It is hoped that work on the new town square will start early in the new year.