A £320,000 cash injection for one of Cleveland's most historic areas has been announced.

But a community leader in Hartlepool's Headland area has urged councillors to pay close attention to the views of residents before spending the grant.

The European Union has allocated £160,000 for the once-neglected Headland area and that has been matched from the Government's SRB fund.

The money will be given to the Hartlepool Borough Council-backed North Hartlepool Partnership and will be used to transform the lower promenade area.

It will also be spent on the refurbishment of the 1930s paddling pool, the creation of new public art and a play area.

The latest grant is just part of an eight-year project to regenerate the ancient Headland which is due to be completed in 2007. The Government will spend nearly £12m on the scheme which is half way through with other funding coming from external bodies.

However, chairman of the Headland town council, Kevin Kelly, who is closely involved in the project, warned other leaders not to ignore the wishes of the public.

He said: "We very much welcome this money which has been in the pipeline for some time.

"However, we have to be sure to have the support of the majority of the people when it comes to the details of how this money will be spent. People were unhappy about the town wall being altered recently and felt they weren't listened to.

"The public art on the roundabout in the area hasn't gone too well either.

"We must be careful not only to consult but to listen and properly take into account people's views."

A spokesman for the North Hartlepool Partnership refuted suggestions that residents were not properly consulted.

He said: "The views of local residents play a vital role in helping shape the partnership's plans and projects.

"We place very strong emphasis on consulting with local people through a variety of means including letters, consultation workshops, regular free newsletters, public presentations and exhibitions."

He added that an update exhibition on the project will be held next Thursday, in the Borough Hall on the Headland from 3pm to 7pm.