COMMUNITY leaders yesterday unveiled ambitious plans aimed at transforming the future prospects of Sunderland city centre.

More than £200m worth of development is nearly ready and the Fresh Thinking Strategy outlined at the city's Stadium of Light previews the next ten years.

City Council chief executive Colin Sinclair said: "The city centre is the economic and social heart of Sunderland and its continuing success and competitiveness are vital to the city as a whole.

"Sunderland's image is changing at a rapid pace and the city council needs to be at the forefront of this change.

"The Fresh Thinking Strategy, compiled with the help of key city partners, residents and businesses, will continue the momentum for change and keep the city centre moving forward."

Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens will open this year, proving a centre piece for the city.

Plans will continue to expand the range of entertainment in the city, as work starts on the High Street West multiplex cinema and entertainment complex.

Entertainment quarters are to be developed to boost the city's evening economy, while street design will improve with priority given to High Street West.

The development of public squares is planned for the city centre, opening up public spaces, especially around the riverside area.

The plans are also geared at making the city centre safe, with the upgrading of the CCTV and the introduction of dedicated street wardens to tackle vandalism, litter problems and anti-social behaviour.

The city centre will also be made more accessible with the £100m scheme to extend the Tyne and Wear Metro the city completed in 2002.

The plans will also encourage the re-use of vacant properties and refurbishment of some of the attractive Georgian and Victorian housing in the south and west sides of the city centre.