RUN-DOWN parts of a North-East city have received a £6m Government boost to help modernise dilapidated houses.

As part of his first visit to the region, Regeneration Minister Lord Falconer yesterday announced a £6.05m funding package for Newcastle's West End.

He unveiled the cash boost, which brings recent funding for the Newcastle West Gate area to £54.9m, during a visit to the New Deal for Communities project in Arthur's Hill.

Lord Falconer said: "I am delighted to announce additional funding of £6.05m for the Newcastle West Gate partnership. This reflects the good work by them in analysing housing needs and demands.

"I am particularly pleased that these plans set out a sustainable future for the housing in West Gate and I look forward to seeing how these plans develop over the next few years."

Following a tour of the city, which included lunch with Newbiggin Hall estate residents and a visit to the rejuvenated Quayside, the minister said he was impressed with the city's facelift in recent years.

He added: "The Urban White Paper published last year set out the Government's framework for the regeneration of our towns and cities.

"It is clear to me that both Newcastle and Gateshead were at the forefront of this work. The results are there to be seen, and there is still more to come.

"Areas such as West Gate and the Newbiggin Hall estate still need massive investment to bring housing stock up to modern standards."