I left Hartlepool 15 years ago but have visited the town for the odd weekend since but this has been the longest time I have spent in the town for some time and it was good to explore my birthplace once again.

No doubt about it the showpiece of the town has to be the marina area.

The changes are amazing but I feel it is let down by the 'clientele' of some of the drinking establishments.

I ventured down to the marina on a few Friday and Saturday nights while visiting my parents and it is a different atmosphere to daytime.

I found it noisy and unwelcoming and in fact at times, intimidating.

The Historic Quay is a delight and well worth a repeat visit.

The abundance of craft berthed is fantastic and I must say when it was first planned I was one of the doubters but I have been proved wrong.

I was surprised at the number of bars now located on Victoria Road and Church Street, again not my favourite venues for a weekend drink.
Unfortunately, Hartlepool seems to be suffering from the same 'drink' culture of Doncaster.

It was good to see the Clock Tower at Seaton has finally had a lick of paint and the landscaping at the back is a vast improvement.

However, the removal of the huts along the front certainly produced a lump in my throat as they were a large part of my childhood memories.

Can someone tell me who designed the 'carbuncle' at the old baths site, what a design disaster that is?

Although we have not had the best of summers, I have been surprised by the lack of visitors to Seaton even on the good days.

Most days as I have taken my daily walks the beach has been deserted except for the hardy few and the lifeguards.

Can someone tell my why the decline in visitor numbers? Not so long ago the beach was buzzing in summer, families used to come for the day with their chairs and windbreakers and there was always some activities going on.

Concluding my observations, I would like to say that Hartlepool although it has it bad points, is still a great place to live and hopefully I will move back to the town in later years.

Marina, great but needs a few 'tweaks' to make perfect, town centre needs a revamp plus less bars and my birthplace, Seaton Carew, good to see the new paint but now it needs some form of marketing to attract visitors.

It is one of the best coastlines in the north but totally under used.

I will be back next year, God willing and look forward to breathing that fresh sea air once again.

Tony Simpson,
Doncaster.