RESIDENTS are being urged to talk to a council about their concerns over plans for a housing estate.

Residents, church leaders and a pressure group for the homeless have protested at plans to demolish up to 500 homes on Stockton's Hardwick estate.

It is expected work on the multi-million pound facelift will start next year.

Sharon Lonergan, of Stockton Borough Council, said: "The regeneration is a bold and exciting plan to revitalise this area and it is only natural that people are worried about their future.

"But these concerns can only be made worse by misinformation and rumours that are circulating.

"It takes a long time and a lot of explaining to get the full facts across and, generally, the reception we have received has been very positive.

"There is nothing better than giving people the facts first-hand and I urge all the residents involved to contact us to arrange to meet us."

Councillor Martyn Ingram, the council's cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: "It is virtually impossible to perfectly match everyone's needs and we understand some people have very real concerns about their homes."

He said it was not an option to let the estate stay as it was.

Weekly surgeries on the plans are being held in the estate's community centre, and residents can also ask to meet council staff.