THE future of Hartlepool will come under scrutiny at a business forum today.

The town has been transformed during the past few years, but business leaders want to explore how it can be improved further.

Leading figures in the town will speak at the Historic Quay, before taking questions from a 100-strong audience, representing the business community.

The panel includes MP Peter Mandelson and Brian Dinsdale, chief executive of the borough council.

Brian Beaumont, chairman of the Hartlepool Economic Forum, said: "Hartlepool has made giant strides in recent years with its numerous rebuilding and regeneration programmes.

"It is, however, equally important that we look to the future and evaluate exactly how Hartlepool is going to continue to prosper and become an even better place to live, work and visit.

"The panel of speakers will be expressing their own thoughts on Hartlepool's future, and people attending the event will have a chance to put questions to them."

It is estimated that more than £200m has been invested to create the town's marina.

Unemployment stands at just over seven per cent, in Hartlepool, whereas in the early 1970s it stood at almost 25 per cent.