PEOPLE in the northern part of Hartlepool's New Deal for Communities (NDC) area are invited to a meeting on Monday.

NDC is using £54m of Government money to transform an area bordering the town centre which stretches from Hart Lane in the north to Belle Vue in the south.

Projects are wide-ranging and aim to improve health, raise education standards, reduce crime, improve housing and the environment, create jobs and build a stronger community.

Monday's meeting, at the Church of the Nazarene, Murray Street, at 10am, is to discuss proposals to set up an drop-in centre in Murray Street.

Leo Ryan, a north area representative on the NDC steering group, said: "The centre would give residents in the northern part of the NDC area a place on their doorstep where they could call in, get the latest information on NDC projects, and talk to project managers.

"It would also be a useful meeting place for local people, and could have facilities including photocopying and computers.

"We hope as many people as possible will come along to the meeting, to let us know if they are happy with the proposals and tell us what they would like to see on offer at the centre."