Redcar and Cleveland is set to receive more than £6m to improve the health, employment and well-being of people living in the area.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is being asked to approve the spending plans by the Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund after three projects were put forward to the council by Redcar and Cleveland Partnership.

The programmes will concentrate on inequalities and health, new employment and training opportunities in building and construction, plus community safety - focussing on anti-social behaviour and substance abuse.

Graham Brownlee, chairman of the Redcar and Cleveland Partnership, believes the projects are geared to making a real difference to the quality of life for people in the borough.

"These will generate greater access to jobs for local people and visible work to make our communities safer, such as neighbourhood wardens in partnership with the police," he said. "There will be greater resources to tackle health needs and improve lifestyles and initiatives, which support those most acutely affected by drugs.

"We have gone for larger schemes, which will have significant impact and work that will continue beyond a quick fix."

The partnership is made up of representatives from more than 30 of the area's public, private, voluntary and community sectors and aims to regenerate the borough.

The borough's two MPs - Vera Baird for Redcar and Ashok Kumar for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland - have also been invited to join.

The total amount for the renewal package is £7.5m and the partnership will meet again in Otober to decide how the rest of the money should be spent.