RESIDENTS are invited to step back in time to help shape the future of gardens in Hartlepool.

Two more consultation events are to be held this week to enable people to put forward their own regeneration ideas for the Burn Valley Gardens.

There will be a chance to draw inspiration from original development plans for the area dating from 1902, which are to be displayed at the events on Wednesday and Friday.

The consultation sessions, will be held from 9am to 7pm, in training room three, at the Municipal Buildings, in Church Square, and have been organised by Hartlepool Borough Council.

They are part of a wider process to breathe new life into the gardens led by the Burn Valley Gardens Rejuvenation Consortium, which is supported by the council and the town's New Deal for Communities regeneration programme.

Richard Harland, the council's parks development officer, said: "We thought it would be interesting to display the original Burn Valley plans, and we are hoping for a good turnout at both events."

The consultation sessions coincide with the distribution of about 2,000 questionnaires to homes in the vicinity of the Burn Valley Gardens, which residents can fill in and return.

Mr Harland said: "A lot of ideas have already been put forward as a result of previous consultations, but it is important we get the views of as many people as possible.

"Our ultimate intention is to draw up a creation plan, which will set out what we hope to achieve in the area. However, the final outcome will largely depend upon the availability of finance.