A COMMUNITY labelled one of the most deprived in the UK, could be in line for extra cash.

Middlesbrough Borough Council has put in a bid to run a Sure Start early learning and parent skill teaching programme in the town's Thorntree area.

The council estate was the third worst out of 8,414 council wards in the UK in a recent league table of run down areas.

A council spokesman said: "The council is making an expression of interest in the next Sure Start round, for Thorntree.''

The scheme involves multi- agency support for families with children, from pre-school to 11 year olds. It helps organise after-school and holiday activities and teaches parenting skills.

A Sure Start programme already operates successfully in another area of Middlesbrough.

Neighbouring areas to Thorntree, Pallister Park and St Hilda's, also featured among the five worst wards nationally.

Councillor Ken Walker, leader of Middlesbrough council, said after the Government league table was published that there was no quick fix.

"But the council and its partner agencies are determined to create a better quality of life for local people,'' he said.

He said inroads would continue to be made with the help of a range of Government initiatives.