PEOPLE are being urged to take advantage of a campaign to make Hartlepool more attractive.

The borough council's Pride in Hartlepool initiative can offer up to £5,000-worth of support to neighbourhood improvement schemes.

However, there is concern that not enough people are applying.

Keeley Metcalfe, community environmental action officer, said: "The only restriction on the way we operate is that we don't accept applications from individuals.

"However, some people have told us that they thought only properly constituted bodies, such as residents' associations, were eligible.

"This isn't the case, because we are also happy to accept applications from informal groups of people, such as several friends from the same street."

The scheme is supported by £170,218 over three years from the European Regional Development Fund. For details, call (01429) 284172.