A SHOPPING district in north Hartlepool is to be given a facelift.

Work is due to begin later this month on a range of improvements to give shops in King Oswy Drive a fresh, new look.

The area will be repaved, with ramps added to give better pedestrian access to shops.

Pavement art is planned to give the area a bright appearance.

An avenue of trees will be planted down the middle of the pedestrian area in front of the shops. The trees will be protected by decorative metal tree guards designed by a blacksmith.

The area will be much brighter during the evening, due to a row of lamp standards, which will run down the middle of the pedestrian area.

Extra lighting will be installed in the car park at the end of the shops.

A more formal parking area will be created on the site of the existing car park, including parking spaces for the disabled.

The shops will also be given a new look, with the front of the buildings being rendered and repainted.

The improvements, that will cost about £160,000, have been planned by the North Hartlepool Partnership, which is using Single Regeneration Budget money from the Government to revitalise north Hartlepool and Headland areas.