Bradford was today handed £19 million by the government to help fund more teachers and bobbies on the beat and tackle the district's health problems.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott announced that Bradford would get £19.6m over the next three years to boost the district.

The award from the Government Neighbourhood Renewal Fund is the highest in West Yorkshire.

The government says councils must use it to improve housing, raise school standards, reduce crime and improve health.

Mr Prescott said today: "The fund will help local authorities in the most deprived areas to spend on more teachers, police officers, crime prevention programmes, social services or any other services which deliver real improvements for the community."

The windfall was welcomed today as a massive boost - but there were calls for full consultation over how it should be spent.

Council leader, Councillor Margaret Eaton, said: "This is a real boost for the city and very welcome. Clearly, the government realises that this is a council which takes deprivation seriously."

Leader of the Labour group, Councillor Ian Greenwood, said: "This is good news and shows the Labour Government continues to recognise the issues facing the districts."

Other politicians welcomed the cash.

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: "This shows there is confidence in the ability of the council and it is now up to us to invest these resources wisely."

Bradford South's MP Gerry Sutcliffe said: "It shows the government is supporting areas which need investment."

But others urged proper consultation.

Ian Murch, secretary of Bradford's National Union of Teachers, said: "This funding is badly needed and it is important that there should be proper consultation."

People in deprived Barkerend were celebrating in August when the government awarded a £28.5m grant from its Single Regeneration Budget.

Little Horton was given £50 million from the New Deal For Communities pot and there was also a hint from a government source today that there could be more funds in the offing.