GATESHEAD Borough Council has urged residents to attend its next full council meeting to see how decisions are made.

The meeting is at Gateshead Civic Centre from 2.30pm on Friday.

A previous meeting of the full council decided to change the content and format of the meetings, in order to encourage more people to attend.

Council leader Councillor George Gill said: "Every decision made has an effect on the lives of people in Gateshead, so this public meetings are an opportunity to see how Gateshead council is constantly working to improve services."

Other meetings will be held on Fridays, at 2.30pm, on April 27, May 11, June 22 and July 27.

Speakers will include MPs, MEPs and members of Northumbria Police, One NorthEast and the Environment Agency.