Darlington is leading the country in a new government initiative to employ neighbourhood managers.

This week the government announced an extra £45m would be available to fund 30 neighbourhood management schemes in some of the country's most deprived communities, which include areas of Stockton, East Cleveland and Darlington.

The extra cash is on top of the £800m neighbourhood renewal strategy announced last year and will help fund neighbourhood managers responsible for tackling day-to-day issues and long-term projects.

However, Darlington is ahead of the field.

This month former Firth Moor housing manager Ms Sally Forth will take over her new role as manager for the Firth Moor estate community.

Coun Bill Dixon, Darlington council's cabinet member for social affairs and health, told the D&S Times the appointment was made before the council knew about this announcement.

He said: "We wanted a single person to pull the whole Firth Moor regeneration scheme together and manage the process on the ground with the residents.

"We are so convinced that these community managers are the way forward that we have put our own money into it."

Darlington council is included on the list of 83 authorities invited to bid for a grant under the neighbourhood management scheme.

But no matter what, Coun Dixon said, the Firth Moor manager would remain.

He added: "We will also look at other areas across the town that fall into the funding eligibility criteria and bid either for them or for the existing Firth Moor scheme."

Stockton council has 11 wards among the top 10pc most deprived areas in England.

Last year it secured £7.7m from the strategy fund to help get the communities back on track.

Coun Bob Gibson, leader of Stockton council and chairman of Stockton Renaissance, was delighted with the news. He said: "We will work with our partners in Stockton Renaissance to select suitable areas to bid for funding."

With Grangetown and South Bank also among the top most deprived areas, Redcar and Cleveland council also welcomes the chance of extra cash.

Mr Colin Moore, chief executive said: "We are looking closely at the proposals and will obviously see if we can rise to the challenge."

A further £86m is on offer for local communities made up of a £36m community empowerment fund and a £50m community chest which can also be applied for by 88 of the most deprived areas in the country.

l Meet the manager: page 5