THE Middlehaven ward of Middlesbrough is the most deprived area in the North-East and one of the poorest in England, according to research published by the GMB union.

The GMB ranked areas across the country by taking into account factors such as income, employment, health, crime and education skills.

Middlehaven was the most deprived part of the North-East and ranked 17th overall across the country.

It is the focus of a £500m redevelopment plan aimed at revitalising its fortunes

The scheme involves demolishing hundreds of homes in the run-down St Hilda's area of the town.

Other areas highlighted by the union as being particularly deprived included Clairville and Gresham, also in Middlesbrough.

Parts of Benwell and Kenton, in Newcastle, and Portrack and Tilery, in Stockton, also ranked in the list.

Colin Smith, GMB senior organiser in public services, said the analysis, compiled by Oxford University's Department of Social Policy and Social Research, showed that action needed to be taken to bring deprived areas up to the levels enjoyed by better off areas.