A major art project is being developed in the town which will be on show long after the races have finished this summer.
Part of the project has already been completed.

A sculpture called Tall Ships Embraced has been created by Steve Nixon and Martin Brown, of Hartlepool-based Flaxton Craftworks. Now come plans for a garden to accompany it.

It will involve 45 children from Eldon Grove Primary School in the town who will develop a 25ft x 12ft plot of land into a Tall Ships garden.

The children have drawn a variety of maritime objects, including whales, compasses and lighthouses which will be included in the scheme.

Manor College of Technology has also helped by creating a DVD of all the project.

Martin Brown, one of the Embraced project creators, said: "By using this as a creative art project, all the children can get a real understanding of scale, proportion and perspective.

"We have used donations and people's goodwill so far.

"We would be really grateful if people could donate any railway sleepers to frame the garden.

"Alternatively, if people could grow any blue or white flowers, to recreate the sea, just in case we are hit by a bad frost. We don't want it to dampen the kids' efforts.

"We really just want to show these kids that their hard work has created a beautiful piece of art."

The garden is being mapped out and planned on the school premises and will be transferred to Navigation Point, at Hartlepool Marina, in time for the Tall Ships celebrations.

Tall Ships project manager Michelle Daurat said: "It's lovely to see people getting involved in so many ways. By combining art and children's projects, we have something that will remind everyone of what a diverse event this is going to be."

Hartlepool will welcome up to one million visitors when it hosts The Tall Ships Races in August.

Hartlepool Borough Council has teamed up with Hartlepool Marina and PD Ports to stage the event.

Tall Ships Embraced is looking for anyone who could help the project.
Call Martin Brown on (01429) 867800.

children's projects, we have something that will remind everyone of what a diverse event this is going to be."
Hartlepool will welcome up to one million visitors when it hosts The Tall Ships Races in August.
Hartlepool Borough Council has teamed up with Hartlepool Marina and PD Ports to stage the event.
Tall Ships Embraced is looking for anyone who could help the project. Call Martin Brown on (01429) 867800.