Regeneration plans for Chester-le-Street town centre have been unveiled in a technical exhibition.

The display, at the Mechanics Institute on Bridge End, opens today. It will use a moving picture wall, "pop-up exhibition panels", a computer room and other multi-media displays to show how the town centre could look under new regeneration plans.

Key projects within the regeneration effort that are detailed in the exhibition include:

* The creation of a civic square, or "Civic Heart", between the Market Place and Bridge End.

* Lighting key historic structures such as the viaduct.

* Improving access to Fines Bank Community Woodland, which leads into the town centre and developing a more managed woodland.

* Creating an Information and Shopmobility Centre, to provide information on events and town centre facilities and provide wheelchairs to visitors with mobility problems.

* Creating an Enterprise and Learning Centre at the Mechanics Institute as a facility for lifelong learning, business support and enterprise.

* Redesigning the Market Place.

* Making Business Improvement Grants available to allow shops to improve security and access and pay for internal alterations.

* Setting up a heritage trail to identify key historic points throughout the town centre.

* Landscaping to Front Street and South Burns, by adding paving, street furniture and new traffic management arrangements.

* Putting into practice local businesses' plans for improvements to the south end of Front Street.

* Redeveloping the Volunteer Centre.

The development is being headed by Chester-le-Street District Council and other agencies including One NorthEast and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

District Councillor Martin Gollan said the whole town will benefit from the redevelopment. He said: "People should realise it's not just about the Market Place and the Civic Heart.

"For example, the traders' association wanted to make sure the focus wasn't just on the northern part of the town, they want to attract people to the south end as well, so they've commissioned an artist to come up with some ideas for a mechanical clock, which will release smoke on the hour."

The New Heart Project exhibition is open today and tomorrow from 9am to 8pm, and until 6pm on Saturday.