SUPPORTERS of two of the region's parks have met to share ideas on the future of the area.

Groups which support and look after parks in Sunderland visited colleagues in Hartlepool to forge closer links, and share ideas.

The friends of Sunderland's Hylton Castle Dene and Roker parks met friends' groups from Summerhill, Ward Jackson and Rossmere parks in Hartlepool, to talk about ways in which the areas have developed.

The visit followed a trip to Sunderland by the friends of the Hartlepool parks.

Eddie Price, Hartlepool Borough Council's community development officer, said: "The visit to Sunderland was a tremendous success, and it was nice that Hartlepool had an opportunity to return the hospitality.

"The return visit was a great success. With so many exciting developments in our Hartlepool parks, there was a certainly a lot for the visitors to see and hear about.

"These friends' meetings are really good news for our parks because they provide an excellent opportunity for people to exchange ideas and learn about successful initiatives in parks in other areas of the country."