TWO North-East areas have been given £1m each in Government funding to pioneer work which will improve the lives of children.

Gateshead and Newcastle are among four areas which have been given funding to develop ways of improving youngsters' lives, referring them to suitable services.

The areas, all of which are partnerships, also include Leicestershire, Leicester City and Rutland; Telford and Wrekin with Shropshire, and West Sussex with East Sussex.