PLANS to hold a competition to create a town square for the Headland area of Hartlepool are gathering pace.

The aim is to find an urban design expert to revitalise the area at the front of the Borough Buildings - between Middlegate, the promenade, St Hilda's Church and Northgate - to give the Headland a central heart.

Workshops will be set up later this year, so residents are involved in laying down the guidelines for what the design would need to achieve.

Established urban design firms would then be invited to submit outline proposals, and local people will be involved in choosing the winner.

The project is being funded by the North Hartlepool Partnership, which is using money from regional development agency One NorthEast's Single Regeneration Budget to revitalise the Headland and north Hartlepool.

Derek Gouldburn, north Hartlepool partnership manager, said: "This part of the Headland is a key area, with roads leading to it from the promenade, Town Wall, St Hilda's, the shopping area and Kafiga Landings.

"However, due to clearance and demolition in past years, it has become a mixture of unrelated areas of open land and isolated buildings.

"Studies and consultation in recent years have identified a strong need to improve the area, creating a more formal public space.

"This could be used for a variety of activities but would also enhance the settings of the Borough Buildings and St Hilda's Church and would be an attractive arrival point for visitors to the Headland."

More details on the project will be publicised later in the year. For information, contact the partnership team on (01429) 288041.