RESIDENTS in a seaside town are being urged to give their views on guidelines to help redevelop part of the seafront.

Drop-in consultation sessions are being held next week so that residents in Seaton Carew can comment on proposed guidelines for developing the empty area behind the bus station, including the former fairground site.

Hartlepool Borough Council recently carried out improvement work on the area, to encourage future private development, including the possibility of an ice-cream parlour.

It has put together a development brief, but before it begins to market the site to developers, the council wants to know what people think of the guidelines.

The consultation sessions are at Seaton Carew Library, in Station Lane, on Tuesday, from 4pm to 6pm, and on Wednesday, from 10am to noon. Staff from the council's regeneration team will be on hand to answer questions.

The development brief will remain on display at the library for comments until September 9.

The redevelopment is part of the Seaton Carew Tourism Strategy. It has been devised by the council through public consultation and with help from the Seaton Carew Renewal Advisory Group, whose members include local residents, councillors and private businesses.

Rob Smith, the council's senior regeneration officer, said: "Previous consultation during development of the tourism strategy showed that local residents are keen to see suitable redevelopment of the former fairground site and the area behind the bus station.

"It is important that as many people as possible come along to one of next week's sessions and give us their views, so we can be sure they are happy with the guidelines we are proposing for prospective developers."