MILLIONS of pounds have been earmarked to tackle the crime blighting the lives of residents in one of the most disadvantaged areas in Britain.

The £3,200,000 from the Safer Stronger Communities Fund is aimed at improving life for people living in east Middlesbrough.

The Government's Safer Stronger Communities Fund - Neighbourhood Element - was set up to improve disadvantaged communities nationally.

Middlesbrough Council will use the money to improve the lives of residents in various ways, including reducing fear of crime and levels of anti-social behaviour.

It also aims to tackle health problems and reduce levels of teenage pregnancy, while improving job prospects and leisure facilities for young people.

The money will be used in several areas of the district - Brambles Farm, Thorntree, Netherfields and Priestfields, Park End, Berwick Hills and Pallister Park.

Councillor David Budd, executive member for regeneration, said: "These resources are welcome because we clearly need to tackle issues such as unemployment, poor health and community safety in these neighbourhoods on a broad front.

"It will also help us tackle them in a more co-ordinated way by getting agencies to work together at neighbourhood level with residents, helping ensure they get a say in how services are delivered."

As part of the improvements, neighbourhood forums will be set up so residents can have their say on what needs doing and how it should be done.

Members will take part in developing a plan for their area and then making sure it is taken forward.

East Middlesbrough is in the three per cent of most disadvantaged areas in the country, and ranks poorly against Middlesbrough as a whole in figures for unemployment, teenage pregnancy and criminal damage.

Health is also a key issue, with 35 per cent more smokers than the rest of the town - leading to higher rates of death from stroke and coronary heart disease.

The funding will also build on projects that are already working in the area, such as Pertemps Working In Neighbourhoods which has placed 469 Thorntree and Pallister Park residents in employment since April 2004, and Healthy Living Projects, which provide services for children and young people.