THE stage is almost set for the ghosts of Hartlepool's past to come to life as the finishing touches are being applied to a haunted street.

Second year students at Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD) have designed and built a full-scale studio set of a street inspired by Hartlepool’s rich and historic past as a shipping port and commercial centre.

The Haunted Histories of Hartlepool is a concept proposal for a six –part fictional TV drama series featuring characters from the town’s past.

Students Greg Lonsdale and Molly Watson have worked on the project, which will be officially opened on Wednesday (January 27) by BBC TV production designer and art director, Tina Sherifa Hicks.

Mr Lonsdale, from Fairfield, Stockton, said: “My part of the street is inspired by ships, with a big arch on the shop front reminiscent of a ship’s hull and portholes, crossed with the brightly coloured houses on the headland. It has been a lot of fun and a great experience.”

The 20-year-old brought some industry-based skills to the project which he gained during his invaluable work experience for ITV’s epic fantasy drama, Beowulf.

The exhibition will be unveiled by Tina Sherifa Hicks on Wednesday evening and then open to the public the following day to enable them to wander down the street and take a step back in time.

The work will be on show for three months. Public viewings will take place on weekdays from 10am to 4pm until April 24 at CCAD’s Production Design Studios on Church Square in Hartlepool.

For more information call 01642-288888.