PEOPLE living in Hartlepool are being asked to help shape the creation of a town square for the Headland.

A competition will be run later this year to find a leading designer to redesign the area in front of the Borough Buildings, between Middlegate, the promenade, St Hilda's Church and Northgate, to give the Headland a strong central heart.

Studies and consultations in recent years have identified a need to improve the area, creating a more formal public space that marks the centre of the Headland.

Before the competition can be run, residents are being invited to visit an exhibition about the Town Square idea and take part in group workshops to explore ideas and issues.

This will form part of a wider consultation with a number of interested parties to help establish the brief for the designers.

The exhibition will be held at the Borough Hall on the Headland on Saturday, between 10am and 1pm.

Workshops will take place on the same day at the same venue, from 11am to 12pm.

The project is being funded by the North Hartlepool Partnership.

Stuart Green, Hartlepool Borough Council's assistant director of planning and economic development, said: "The area in front of the borough buildings is a key area for both the local community and for visitors, but because of past demolition and clearance it has become a mixture of open land and isolated buildings.

"The creation of a town square will have important benefits.

"It could be used for a range of different activities, would be an attractive arrival point for visitors to the Headland, and would further enhance the setting of the borough buildings and St Hilda's Church."