Bradford is to receive £10.5 million to build a new network of children's centres for disadvantaged youngsters, the Government has announced.

More than 16,000 Bradford children, aged under five, will benefit from the new centres which will provide child care, early education, parenting support and child and family health services.

The programme unveiled for Bradford is by far the biggest in Yorkshire and the grant is almost twice that awarded to Leeds, the second biggest winner.

Today Councillor David Ward, executive member for education, hailed the announcement as "great news" and said: "It shows the Government has got faith in Bradford."

The money will be used to develop existing services provided by established local Sure Start programmes, which support families from pregnancy until children are 14 years old.

The £10.5m figure was announced by Charles Clarke, Secretary of State for Education and Skills, who said the investment would be made over a three-year period.

Speaking at a seminar on education and child poverty, he explained how the new centres would tackle child poverty by improving children's social and educational development.

He said the facilities, which would also feature employment advisors, would help parents to balance work and family life.

Detailed plans for the centres and where they will be located will be drawn up by Bradford Council, in conjunction with Bradford City Primary Care Trust and other groups, by October 15.

Coun Ward said: "We have a really good record in terms of Sure Start and it is a compliment to all those involved to date that the Government sees Bradford as a sound investment.

"This type of provision is crucial for children. Investment at this age is the most important and it pays dividends 100 times over."

As well as the Sure Start programme, new centres will develop from neighbourhood nurseries, early excellence centres, nursery schools and voluntary provision.