A NEW advert which is designed to change people's perceptions of Hartlepool will be shown on television from tomorrow.

The commercial was produced by The Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, The Designer Room and Hartlepool Borough Council's tourism and economic development department, to appeal to day visitors from the North-East, who would not normally consider visiting Hartlepool.

The commercial, which follows the theme Hartlepool We're Evolving, features the town's most prominent tourist attractions, including the award-winning Historic Quay, Middleton Grange shopping centre, and The Designer Room at Jacksons Landing.

Also featured is the fully restored HMS Trincomalee, which was recently awarded an International Maritime Heritage award by the World Ship Trust, as well as the £60m marina.

Seaton Carew beach is also included in the commercial, as well as the promenade.

Cormac Hamilton, centre manager at Middleton Grange, said: "Recent research conducted in the centre revealed 24 per cent of our weekly visitors were not from Hartlepool. This indicates that Hartlepool is becoming more of a regional attraction and destination.

"The commercial is an excellent way of showing Hartlepool as it is today and how it has evolved. When we get new visitors and shoppers to the town they are always very impressed with what Hartlepool has to offer now and how it has changed over the years.

"The increase in regional visits shows that people are beginning to visit to enjoy what we have got here. The secret is definitely getting out and I would not be surprised to see really significant increases of visits to the town over the next few years."

The commercial will be shown from August 6 to 19.