HUDDERSFIELD has become one of the north's most successful towns at reinventing itself.

That was the verdict of a conference held to debate new building projects, transport improvements and other schemes to make the town a better place.

And a transformation for the rest of Kirklees is set to follow, experts say.

Their conclusion was reached at the end of talks at the National Coal Mining Museum, at Overton, between Huddersfield and Wakefield.

It came as work is due to begin on projects which will change the appearance of some of Huddersfield town centre's streets.

Part of Byram Street will be made pedestrian- only and there will be a new-look square outside the bus station.

Plans are also being made for a massive warehouse near the railway station to be brought back into full use.

Officials aiming to further the regeneration success gathered at the meeting staged by the Kirklees Partnership, whose members include Kirklees Council, the local Chamber of Commerce, health trusts, Huddersfield Technical College and Huddersfield University.

A Kirklees Partnership spokesman said: "Huddersfield's status as a highly successful regeneration scheme can be attributed in part to rapid progress in the development of new business, retail opportunities and the growing status of the university.

"It is anticipated that the success of Huddersfield is soon set to spread across the rest of Kirklees, including rural areas and towns such as Batley, Cleckheaton, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike."

The finding flies in the face of a survey last week which revealed Huddersfield suffers one of the worst rates of business failures.

Clr Kath Pinnock, leader of Kirklees Council, said: "In the interests of creating opportunity and social equality we need to release the economic potential of every part of Kirklees.

"The strategy aims to make sure that all areas of the district reach their full potential. This will benefit not only the residents of Kirklees, but the region as a whole."

Approved projects:

* 11-17 Chancery Lane will be turned into apartments, bars and restaurants by Dreamloft.

* Brian Jackson House, the home of the National Children's Centre, will be refurbished.

* Green Street will be the site of the new Castlegate Retail park.

* Byram Street, Kirkgate, Westgate and Trinity Street will be pedestrianised or made safer for walkers.

* Macaulay Street, outside the bus station, will be remodelled.

* Former Shell filling station at Southgate will be converted into a retail site.

* Former Abraham's pub at Westgate to be converted to apartments and a shop by Dream Pad Leisure.

Planning applications:

* Hawksby Court, behind 30-34 New Street, will be improved in a shop conversion.

* Kirklees Music School is seeking to move to new premises at Northumberland Street.

Feasibility projects:

* 48 Westgate to be replaced with a new building more in keeping with neighbouring structures.

* Tite's Buildings at 6-10 Railway Street to be refurbished.

* NTL House at Market Street to be refurbished and re-let.

* Yorkshire Building Society intends to move to New Street from Britannia Buildings, which could be converted into apartments and a bar.

* St George's Warehouse would become St George's Quarter.

* St George's Square would be improved.

* Media Centre third phase.

* University-owned St Peter's Buildings in Northumberland Street could be turned into shops and flats.

* St Peter's Gardens next to the Parish Church could be altered.

* Library and Piazza may disappear to be replaced with a modern-day facility.