THE heart of a Teesside town centre was described as little more than a "huge bus stop," at a public meeting about the future of the town last night.

The comment was made about Stockton's High Street by one of the experts overseeing a project to potentially develop the town.

Jim Chapman, of urban designers and master planning agency EDAW, also outlined a number of other issues facing Stockton.

Speaking to about 50 members of the public at the meeting, at Stockton Central Library, he said the following problems should be addressed:

* Revitalising Stockton High Street, the widest in Western Europe,which could connect the "two shopping centres" at the Castlegate centre and Wellington Street;

l Reconnect the town centre with the riverside;

l Improve the town's outdoor market;

l Breathe life in the town's Georgian streets;

l Develop a caf culture;

*Integrate transport and make it harder for drivers to bypass the town;

l Find ways to complement Middlesbrough town centre.

Mr Chapman said changes to the town centre in the 1960s and 1970s had been a mistake.

He said: "Unfortunately the decision was made 30 years ago to switch the town away from the river which we really need to address.

"Stockton has two shopping centres which is a nonsense. The High Street between them is basically a huge bus stop.

"You also have to look at the small things. People ask 'where do you get a cup of coffee in Stockton?' Things like that are important."

Members of the public formed groups with town planning experts to discuss ways the town could be improved.

The consultation follows a study, by consultants Drivers Jonas into the town's potential, which was commissioned by Stockton Borough Council.