RESIDENTS of the Headland, at Hartlepool, are being invited to help refurbish the paddling pool on the promenade below Albion Terrace, on Sunday, May 27.

Hartlepool Borough Council, through its north neighbourhood forum, and Headland Town Council have each contributed £1,000 to the project.

Further support is to be provided through the borough council's three-year Pride in Hartlepool environmental improvement campaign.

The paddling pool has been popular with families for decades, but it was due to be taken out of service because of council cash shortages.

Councillor John Marshall, who came up with the idea of preserving the attraction, said: "It really is a beautiful place in the summer, and it would be a catastrophe if we were to lose it."

The funding will enable the pool to stay open until the end of the summer.

By that time, it is hoped the north Hartlepool SRB partnership will have agreed on a major redevelopment scheme for the area.

The refurbishment will include repainting, work on the bridge hand rails, and repointing.

Much of the work is expected to be completed on the Sunday.

Volunteers will work with artist Michael Smith to paint hop scotch squares on the tarmac surrounding the pool, and tidy up the area. The project will start at 9.30am.