Four urban design firms will compete to redesign the area in front of the Borough Buildings to give the area a strong 'central heart'.

The companies from Middlesbrough, Kent, Glasgow and Rotterdam, have until October to submit their proposals.

The designs will then be put on display to enable residents to submit their views before the winner is chosen.

The new square will located in the area between Middlegate, the promenade, St Hilda's Church and Northgate.

'Choose the design'

The four design firms were selected from a shortlist of 10 by members of the project steering group, which includes the North Hartlepool Partnership, the Headland Parish Council, Hartlepool Council and One NorthEast.

They are: Fergusson McLlveen, which has an office in Middlesbrough; Kent firm Rummey Design Associates; Gillespies, which has headquarters in Glasgow; and West 8, a Dutch company based in Rotterdam.

Councillor John Marshall, Chair of the North Hartlepool Partnership, said: "Don't let the chance to have your views heard pass you by. Take part to help choose which design will be the winner."

Work on the project, which is using money from regional development agency One NorthEast's Single Regeneration Budget, would start early in the New Year.