Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe has welcomed Government funding of £60 million which will be used to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children throughout the district.

The grant, which will be channelled to Sure Start Children's Centres over the next three years, is part of a £4 billion national award supporting the Government's aim of creating children's centres in all deprived areas.

The money will pay for outreach work to aid the district's most disadvantaged families and further train early years teams. Childcare places will be made available to all who want them.

Mr Sutcliffe, above, said: "When I visited Tyersal Sure Start last year, I saw the huge difference this investment is making.

"Much of this is down to the hard work and dedication of staff and volunteers at the centre. Everybody knows that the early years are crucial to a child's development and their future prospects."