EFFORTS to encourage more shoppers to visit Hartlepool have been stepped up with new signs directing motorists to the town centre's safest car parks.

Officers from Hartlepool Borough Council are keen to ensure people are aware of the location of the town's four secured car parks.

The basement and multi-storey car parks in the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Eden Street car park and Roker Street have all been awarded Secured Car Parks status by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) after undergoing rigorous inspection and assessment.

This follows the completion of a series of improvements at the car parks, including better closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, improved lighting and the installation of special help points.

Phil Hepburn, the council's car parking manager said: "We have an ongoing commitment to make our car parks as safe as possible. However, it is vital that motorists know where they are so they use them. Given that Christmas shopping season is in full swing, it is a particularly appropriate time to be promoting our car parks as safe and secure places."

The signs which have gone up in Stockton Street, Park Road and Roker Street/Villiers Street, have cost about £5,000 and been funded by the Hartlepool Community Safety Partnership.