PEOPLE living in Hartlepool's New Deal for Communities area are invited to a series of special meetings to find out more about projects and give their views on the progress made so far.

Residents in the area are invited to a series of special Theme Workshops which are public meetings in which they can find out more about the progress being made in, and the future projects being planned for, specific areas.

A Crime and Safety Theme Workshop will look at whether residents are feeling safer, whether crime is being cut and how particular projects, such as alleygates, are working.

An Employment Theme Workshop will be covering topics ranging from courses to improve people employability to future plans for business support schemes and environmental improvement grants for firms.

The dates and times of the workshops, which are all being held at the Belle Vue Community Sports and Youth Centre in Kendal Road, are;

* Employment Theme Workshop - Wednesday March 12, from 12.30pm to 4pm, including lunch.

* Crime and Safety Theme Workshop - Thursday March 13, from 10am to 12noon.

* Health Theme Workshop - Thursday March 13, from 2pm to 4pm.

A further workshop about community development is taking place at the Central Library in York Road on Wednesday March 19 at 2pm.

Anyone who would like to attend any of the meetings is asked to contact (01429) 894046 to confirm attendance.