PEOPLE in Gateshead are being urged to tell officials how they think the town can be given a brighter future.

The Gateshead Strategic Partnership, led by Gateshead Borough Council, is producing a community strategy that it hopes will improve the lives of residents.

Officials and councillors want people to attend roadshows that are touring the area, and give their views on the way forward.

The Labour-run council's leader, George Gill, who is also chairman of the partnership, said: "I would urge as many local residents as possible to come along to our consultations and to give us their opinions on what they want the future of Gateshead to be like."

The roadshow will be at the Wrekenton Centre, Wrekenton, today. Tomorrow it will be at Kibblesworth Bank, near the Aged Miners Homes, Kibblesworth, at Fewster Square, Leam Lane, on Thursday, and outside the social club in Ravensworth Road, Dunston, on Friday. All the visits will be between 10am and 3pm.

On Saturday from 10am to 2pm it will be near the library in Birtley town centre.