MULTI-million pound plans to revamp part of Hartlepool have been unveiled.

The creation of a town square, a historical story trail and the restoration of a First World War gun battery are some of the projects being planned for the town's Headland.

More than £2.3m is being ploughed into the improvements, many of which centre on ongoing projects.

Regional development agency One NorthEast has provided the funding for the scheme, which the council hopes will attract an extra £4.4m from the public and private sectors.

Planners intend that the creation of a formal town square, in front of the Borough Buildings, will provide a central heart for the Headland area.

Blueprints for revamping the Heugh Gun Battery include restoring the barrack block, developing the ammunition room as a display area and restoring the lookout tower.

Other projects include the completion of a £1.9m sports centre, on land at the rear of the Borough Hall, restoration of the Grade II-listed Carnegie Building, for offices and improvememts to street lighting.

Councillor Rob Cook, board member of the North Hartlepool Partnership, said: "In all, we have a packed programme, which will help lay the foundation for a confident future for the Headland."

Missing from the regeneration scheme are plans mooted last year for a brass statue of cartoon character Andy Capp.

The council denied last week it had shelved plans for the 5ft statue - intended as a tribute to Andy's creator, Reg Smythe, who was from the town and died in 1998 - because the statue was considered too politically-incorrect.