The region is to get millions of pounds to set up designated children's centres.

The North-East and North Yorkshire will get £35.7m over the next three years to develop the centres, it was announced yesterday.

They will provide childcare and early education, parental support, employment advice, as well as child and family health services under one roof. Sure Start programmes bringing together childcare, early years and family support wil be developed further.

Other centres will be set up from nursery schools or in voluntary settings.

At least 60,000 under-fives in the North-East will be able to use the centres by April 2006. Education Secretary Charles Clarke said: "The attainment gap between poor and better-off children must be closed if we are to develop the potential of all young people."

Local education authorities to benefit include: Darlington £1m; Durham £6.6m; Gateshead £2.9m; Hartlepool £1.57m; Middlesbrough £2.4m; Newcastle £4m; North Tyneside £2m; Northumberland £1.89m; Redcar and Cleveland £1.98m; South Tyneside £3m; Stockton £1.9m; Sunderland £5.19m; North Yorkshire £976,795.