Hartlepool station is set to change before the eyes of those with rail jobs in the area.

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In time for the Tall Ships' Races 2010, £1.2 million is being spent on the railway station, for work on its platform and canopies in the first instance.

Richard Lungmuss, route director for Network Rail, said: "Hartlepool was one of the first stations that I visited when I took over this role in January 2009 and it is a real pleasure to see the improvements taking place."

He added that the changes provide a great example of what working together can achieve for passengers.

A representative from Hartlepool Council commented that the local authorities or working closely with Network Rail is part of a host of improvements in aid of next year's Tall Ships' event.

Tall Ships' Races are organised by Sail Training International on an annual basis in European waters, with around 70 to 100 boats getting involved in the competition.

Hartlepool expects that this year's occasion will attract around one million visitors to the area.