£10million funding for 'deprived' Heywood

Heywood's New Deal for Communities programme, known as New Heart for Heywood, has received funding for its final two years.

The programme has received more than £10 million funding to continue tackling crime, stimulating educational achievement and boosting job opportunities.

Martin Walker, head of Physical and Economic programmes at New Heart for Heywood, said: "These figures give New Heart for Heywood's allocation from the Government for its last two years.

"Over these two years the programme will deliver major changes for Heywood people, including schools, and help into work and sport for families and businesses.

"We will also see the opening up of the Phoenix Centre and the Sports, Culture and Leisure Village. We expect them to make a major contribution to the health and wellbeing of Heywood people."

As one of England's most deprived communities, Heywood was given £7,452,000 for its New Deal for Communities programme during 2009-10, and a further £2,861,000 for 2010-11.

Since 2001 Heywood's New Deal for Communities programme has helped bring burglary down and boosted GCSE results.

The money for the Heywood scheme is part of £250 million for 39 NDC partnerships nationwide.

Communities Minister Baroness Andrews said: "This additional money will help the NDC partnerships continue their excellent work as they invest in the future of their area, and leave a valuable and long lasting legacy."