THE only thing Hartlepool and the sleepy Cornish fishing village of Padstow have in common is fish.

But, if an ambitious plan by the local council gets under way, they may have something else in common - a resident celebrity chef.

Hartlepool Borough Council wants to revamp the old Headland part of town and has come up with plans to build a top-class restaurant to attract tourists to Teesside.

They hope to model the scheme on Padstow, on the north Cornish coast, where celebrity chef Rick Stein opened a seafood restaurant some years ago, and ever since tourists and other restaurant owners have been flocking to the village.

The aim is to create not only a high-profile restaurant, but also a bistro and shops, which could attract visitors from outside the region.

If all goes to plan, the complex will be built on a two- acre site next to Kafiga Landings, beside Headland Fish Quay.

Tim White, Hartlepool council's director of regeneration and planning, said: "This is a tremendously exciting proposal, not only for Hartlepool but for the wider area as well.

"Initial research has shown that such a plan would be economically viable and has the potential to make a major contribution to the regeneration of the Headland and to Hartlepool's economy."

A feasibility study into the project will be considered at later meetings of the council.