The Government has today announced the regional distribution of more than £1bn to revitalise the housing market in key areas and restore stable communities.

Up to £54m a year will be made available to each of the twelve "Pathfinder" areas over the next three years, under the housing market renewal programme.

Merseyside, East Lancashire, Manchester Salford, South Yorkshire and North Staffordshire are each set to receive more than £100m over the three years.

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This will fund further progress towards restoring stable communities and re-connecting housing markets with their regions.

Housing Minister Iain Wright said: "The Housing Market Renewal Programme has been vital for restoring confidence in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country.

"This substantial funding, together with increasing investment from the private sector and support from local authorities and others, will help the market renewal areas take forward their ambitious programmes to bring real change to places which only five years ago were facing decline and abandonment.

"This is a long-term programme, and there is still much work to do. The Pathfinder scheme has already made great progress in these areas, and this money will help bridge the gaps that still remain," he added.

(VB)