A MUSIC festival could be held at a derelict former shopping centre before the end of the year.

The former factory outlet village at Jacksons Landing, on the marina in Hartlepool, could be modified slightly to host the event - the details of which are being kept under wraps at present.

Hartlepool Borough Council's assistant director (regeneration) Damien Wilson said the council had received an approach from an unnamed party wanting to organise the festival.

The council has now submitted its own application, ahead of agreeing any deal, for a temporary change of use for the site, to enable a music festival event sometime this year.

Jacksons Landing was a purpose-built discount shopping outlet which has been derelict for ten years. The council is due to consider options for the site soon, as part of the town's regeneration masterplan.

Mr Wilson said: "We have had a lot of interest from manufacturing, retail, residential and then this most recent approach from a party wanting to run a music festival-type event. But nothing is set in stone yet with the music festival - it has to go through planning, licensing and health and safety."