A REGENERATION project breathing new life into a city's traditional heart has chosen the blueprint for a £2m park.

The Sunniside Partnership, in Sunderland, has chosen Newcastle-based Robinson Landscape Design to create an area where community events can be held.

The firm's design was one of four shortlisted by the partnership, which aims to revamp Sunniside, an area that was Sunderland's commercial centre in the 18th Century, but has suffered decline in recent years.

The site, a Victorian park surrounded by railings, will have a community square, paths, trees and shrubs, a central area for events, such as markets, concerts and temporary ice rinks, benches and lighting.

The Sunniside Partnership's project director, Ian Wardle, said: "Robinson Landscape Design has proposed an imaginative mix of contemporary landscaping with great sensitivity for the proportions of Georgian town planning.

"Their ideas will help to act as a catalyst for the whole area and help to exploit the wonderful architectural appeal of the buildings around the gardens."

Tom Robinson, of Robinson Landscape Design, said: "We are delighted to have won this important job for the city.

"The Sunniside gardens site has huge potential. It has an interesting history and is ready to play a big role in Sunderland's overall regeneration."

The partnership, launched two years ago, hopes to create 500 jobs and attract £130m investment over 14 years.