A FUND is being set up to help young people between the ages of five and 13 cope with serious problems in their lives, and will benefit youngsters in Hartlepool.

The Children's Fund is a Government initiative intended to bridge the gap between the Sure Start programme for the under-fours and Connexions which supports those aged 13 and 19.

It is hoped that the money will enable young people to get a good start in life by avoiding social pressures and solving problems.

The fund will eventually operate all over the country.

As a town in the top 40 areas of deprivation in the country, Hartlepool is one of the first places to benefit from the money.

The fund will provide £500,000 for preventative work each year, with another £20,000 available for development work.

The fund will be administered by a local partnership made up of voluntary, faith and community groups including those representing children and families.

The partnership must come up with outline proposals for spending the money before an allocation from the fund is awarded.

The projects for the first year must be submitted for final approval by June 29.