Problems in neighbourhood shopping centres in part of the region are being tackled with the help of a hefty cash boost.

The £35,000 of funding for east Durham has been warmly welcomed by Easington MP John Cummings.

The additional resources have been allocated under the Small Retailers Initiative to support shopkeepers and other small retail businesses to tackle anti- social behaviour and racial harassment.

A spokesman for the Easington District Community Safety Partnership said: "The current Community Safety Audit identified that youth nuisance had increased by nearly ten per cent while crime generally is falling sharply. Extensive consultation with the local community has identified five hot spots for anti social behaviour, all of which are located within small shopping precincts.''

More than 20 businesses will benefit from the windfall by means of structural changes to walls and fences, improved lighting, provision of litterbins and the provision of two-way radios.

Among the areas earmarked for the improvement works are Westlea, in Seaham, as well as Beverley Way and Eden Hill Road, in Peterlee.

Mr Cummings said: "This initiative is part of a raft of measures supported by other community safety initiatives through the partnership, to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour that has become a blight on so many of out communities.''

The Easington District Youth Strategy and the Anti-Social Behaviour Task Group are also seeking to provide diversionary activities to steer young people away from anti-social behaviour.

Mr Cummings said: "This is an important part of the jigsaw which will give the Community Safety Partnership the opportunity to undertake much-needed capital works in hot spot areas which, combined with a range of initiatives, will help to improve the quality of life for residents in some of the most hard pressed communities in the district.