THE Government will fund camcorders and digital cameras for disadvantaged parents to bring them closer to their children.

In total, £9m will go to 41 councils, including County Durham, Middlesbrough and Newcastle.

The money will go to the poorest and most deprived areas, where the technology will be used to try to get parents involved in their child's learning.

Middlesbrough will receive £200,000. A council spokesman said a large section of the money will go to the east end of the town, where a quarter of Middlesbrough's children live.

The money will go to Sure Start centres, which will spend it on creative activities such as digital photography, electronic learning and, possibly, library sessions.

Durham has been given £250,000 by the Government.

County councillor Claire Vasey said the money would go to the most disadvantaged wards, including Easington.

She said: "The funding will be used for a range of digital technology, including cameras and camcorders, that can also be used in various settings, including the home.

"While we aim to target all parents, we will particularly focus on parents who find it hard to engage with services."

She said they included teenage and lone parents, workless households, black and minority ethnic parents, those living in rural isolation and the travelling community.

She said: "We hope to improve children's communication, language and literacy, their personal, social and emotional development and increase their self-esteem."

Among the plans submitted to the Government by councils are: learning diaries and albums for children; music and singing to encourage children to speak and listen; and recording fathers and grandfathers reading stories.

Children's Minister Beverley Hughes said: "We know that parents are central to children's wellbeing and that children's experiences in their early years have a major impact on later life.

"We hope to see innovative work in reaching vulnerable parents in areas where they need support and encouragement to really get involved in their children's development."

Last week, the Government unveiled plans to try to get parents involved in setting up schools and calling for changes if they are unhappy.