THE demolition of old houses is to breathe new life into a Teesside street, thanks to two councillors.

Earlier this week, Hartlepool borough councillors Pamela Hargreaves and Robbie Payne helped to remove bricks on the Thornton Street development, where 20 houses on the north side of the street are being replaced by a park.

However, instead of scrapping the 60,000 bricks and building the park from new, the old bricks are to be saved and used to construct a boundary wall.

During initial consultation in 2004, people living in the area proposed adding some open space to the street, alongside other environmental improvements.

Working with residents, regeneration company Hartlepool Revival acquired the properties to make way for the park, which includes a perimeter wall and railings, gates, trees, planting, and a seating area.

Coun Hargreaves said: "I hope that residents enjoy the park and I will certainly be going down Thornton Street to watch it mature and develop."

Coun Payne said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for local residents and the local area, and it will breathe new life into the community."

It is anticipated that the park will be completed towards the end of the year.