Birmingham is to receive a windfall of almost £70 million to tackle crime and poverty.

The grant from the Treasury is designed to help the city council improve education and housing services, and to fight anti-social behaviour.

The money, to be distributed between 2006 and 2008, is part of a £ 1.3 billion nationwide programme organised by John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister.

Birmingham has been allocated £69.9 million, more than any other part of the country.

Coventry will receive £10.6 million, Dudley will receive £3.3 million, Sandwell will receive £23 million, Stoke on Trent will receive £ 11 million, Walsall will receive £12 million, and Wolverhampton will also receive £12 million.

But other parts of the West Midlands do not qualify for the funding, which Ministers said is aimed at "the most disadvantaged areas".

None of the £145 million distributed in the region will go to rural communities.

Phil Woolas, Minister for Local Government and Neighbourhood Renewal, said: "These resources demonstrate the Government's continued commitment to social justice and opportunity for all.

"We are committed to improving the overall quality of life for people living in our most disadvantaged areas. We want them to share fully in a better society where we see respect for people of all ages, races, faiths and for the communities they live in.

"These funds will support local authorities, other agencies and communities working together to achieve these goals." He added: "The Government is determined to tackle areas of greatest deprivation - these finds are better targeted than ever before and will reach almost all neighbourhoods falling within the ten per cent most deprived in the country."

But Philip Dunne, Conservative MP for Ludlow in Shropshire, said: "Yet again, the Government is ignoring the needs of rural areas, which suffer from their own challenges. Even in picturesque Ludlow, we have one of the most deprived wards in the West Midlands, yet no money to improve the quality of life for people who live there. It is about time the Government recognised the problems of rural areas." The funding is being distributed under two government programmes called the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the Safer, Stronger Communities Fund, which already run a series of schemes in the West Midlands.

In Sandwell, the Academic Coaches Ensuring Success scheme helps young people by working in partnership with all 18 secondary schools, community and voluntary

organisations and West Bromwich Albion Football Club.

The project funds academic coaches to help pupils improve both their performance and their self-esteem. Homework clubs are run in schools, gurdwaras, or mosques.

West Bromwich Albion offers rewards to youngsters doing well at school, such as a coaching session or a chance to meet players.