A PARTNERSHIP designed to solve community problems by bringing together key local players is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

The Common Purpose initiative was set up on Teesside as an experiment in shaping the area's future. Made up of influential people from all walks of life, it involves them in tackling local issues by encouraging them to co-operate.

At the weekend, the organisation, based at the TAD Centre, on Middlesbrough's Ormesby Road, is celebrating its ten years of operation.

A cake, being donated by the Celebrations bakery, will be cut by Chief Constable Barry Shaw, the chairman of Teesside Common Purpose, at a gathering on Sunday.

Sue McCabe, the programme director, said it has fostered positive links throughout Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar.

"It brings together talented and energetic people from very diverse working backgrounds who would probably otherwise never meet," she said.

"Business leaders, head teachers, trade unionists, police chiefs, local government officers and councillors, among others, are brought together for a series of intensive programme days to find out how their community ticks - and to thrash out ways of working together on issues which affect them all."

For more information on Common Purpose, ring (01642) 515065