DESPITE being a constant target for vandals, a piece of Hartlepool's heritage has been restored.

Hartlepool Borough Council has spent £56,000 renovating and securing the former coach house in Burn Valley Gardens after deciding its history made it worth saving.

Richard Harland, parks development officer at the council, said: "In truth, it would have been easier to knock down the building but we felt that would have sent out the wrong message, particularly at a time when moves are under way to revamp the gardens as a whole.

"Although the old coach house might not look much at first glance, it is one of the last truly historic structures remaining within the gardens."

The old coach house dates back to about the turn of the century and served the large house that is now Hartlepool Sixth Form College.

However, during the past couple of years the building was subjected to repeated break-ins and arson attacks, leaving it a fire-blackened shell.

The restoration scheme, which has involved putting on a new roof complete with vandal-resistant tiles, installing electrics and fitting modern facilities, has breathed life into the building. It is used as a base by the council's two Environmental Task Forces.

Councillor John Lauderdale, cabinet member for town management, said: "The old coach house compliments the wider regeneration of the Burn Valley Gardens and it is important to retain it."

Consultants have been appointed by the Burn Valley Gardens Rejuvenation Consortium, a body comprising representatives of local community groups, to spearhead efforts to regenerate the gardens.