TV weatherman Bob Johnson will be guest of honour when he helps mark the completion of environmental improvements with a windy theme.

Bob, the cheery face of the ITV Tyne-Tees weather forecasts, will open the revitalised area on Hartlepool's Headland on Thursday afternoon.

What was previously open space has been transformed into an attractive paved area, featuring the different grades of the Beaufort windspeed scale, recreated in natural stone and coloured paving.

The paving is complemented by a stone sculpture called Force 10, by artist Mike Disley, depicting a girl and her dog bracing themselves against a gale.

The wind theme was chosen to reflect the rugged, coastal nature of the Headland.

The paved area is bordered by fencing, low limestone walling and shrubs. A ramped walkway gives access for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Other improvements include neat gates and railings in front of the houses on the corner of Throston Street and Darlington Street, and the concrete pavement in front of them has been replaced with stone paving.

Councillor John Cambridge, North Hartlepool Partnership board member, said: "This exciting project has not only improved the area for the people who live nearby, it has transformed what is also an important pedestrian route between Durham Street and the Northgate Shops.

"Given the weather theme of the sculpture and paving, Bob Johnson is a very fitting guest of honour and we are delighted to welcome him to the Headland."

The improvements have been funded by the North Hartlepool Partnership (NHP), with additional money coming from Hartlepool Borough Council and Housing Hartlepool.

The NHP is using money from regional development agency One NorthEast to revitalise the Headland.