A NUMBER of schemes to improve the appearance of Hartlepool and the surrounding villages look likely to be approved by councillors.

Members of Hartlepool Borough Council's central neighbourhood forum will meet today to discuss the plans.

Hart Village Parish Council wants to buy five hanging baskets for the High Street, as part of their beautification scheme this summer. The baskets will then be maintained and re-used.

Plans to remove high density shrubbery and replace it with low level planting on the open space at Eltringham Road and Clifton Avenue, Hartlepool, will also be discussed.

A report to the council said: "Over the past two summers, this area of shrubs has been used by local youths to hide and camp in.

"Residents have asked for a way to prevent this misuse in anticipation of another summer of disturbance."

The schemes will be funded from the central neighbourhood minor works budget.