A much-loved paddling pool and play area on Teesside has re-opened after a major renovation project.

The Block Sands pool and play park was renovated as part of a £350,000 North Hartlepool Partnership project with money from regional development agency One NorthEast.

The pool has been resurfaced and stepping stones have been installed across the pool in place of the little concrete bridge which was no longer considered safe.

The play area also has some new features, including children's rockers and climbing blocks surrounded by soft safety flooring. Other improvements have included sandblasting, repairing and repainting the railings around the area, adding smart sandstone coping around the pool and replacing the steps from the breakwater to the play area with a ramp.

Councillor John Marshall, chairman of the North Hartlepool Partnership, said: "This new pool is a wonderful place for children to play in the summer. I hope that it plays a major part in their lives, as did the old pool in ours."

Stuart Drummond, Hartlepool mayor, said: "Thanks to this exciting project the paddling pool and play area have been given a whole new lease of life so they can give pleasure to local people and visitors alike for years to come."