A PROJECT to create a town square area at one of the most historic areas of Teesside has taken a step forward.

Mayor Stuart Drummond has decided to buy new trees and surfacing materials for the Square, on the Headland in Hartlepool.

He had to take the decision quickly so as not to lose funding which must be spent this financial year.

Mr Drummond and Councillor Steve Wallace, Hartlepool Council portfolio holder for regeneration, held a meeting to discuss the findings of a consultation exercise involving more than 200 people on the Headland.

They agreed that a number of the comments made by people during the recent consultation need to be looked at in more detail by the designers. Once that has been done, there will be another round of public consultation before a planning application is submitted for the first phase of the project.

The town square project is being headed by the North Hartlepool Partnership and Hartlepool Council. The North Hartlepool Partnership is using money from regional development agency One NorthEast to revitalise the Headland.

A formal square in front of the Borough Hall will be created and a history garden next to it. New toilet facilities and an information point will be built in the bus turning area at the bottom of Middlegate.

Granite paving blocks and 76 semi-mature trees were approved for purchase.