WORK will get under way this month to transform a sports and community centre in Hartlepool.

New Deal for Communities is behind the £2m project, which will see many facilities at the Belle Vue Youth and Community Centre improved as well as new ones added.

The bulk of the money is coming from New Deal, but the project has also attracted funding from Europe and the Government's New Opportunity Fund.

The New Deal for Communities initiative in Hartlepool has received £54m of Government money to spend during the next ten years, transforming an area bordering the town centre stretching from Hart Lane in the north to Belle Vue in the south.

The area is home to 10,000 people.

Projects will be wide-ranging and aim to improve health, raise education standards, reduce crime, improve housing and the environment, create jobs and build a stronger community.

The facilities at Belle Vue will be wide-ranging and include; creating a full-size sports hall with new changing rooms and showers, a youth centre, conference and IT suites and fitness facilities.

Bob Farrow is the centre manager and resident member of the New Deal Steering Group. He has worked at the centre since it opened 16 years ago.

He said: "This is a dream come true for everyone associated with the centre.

"We know what the needs of the Belle Vue community are and there is no doubt the new facilities will be a tremendous asset to the local people.

"A lot of people have worked very hard putting this project together and we can't wait for work to start."

The first facility, the IT suite, will be ready next April, while the rest of the facilities are expected to be completed by Autumn next year.