A Birmingham community group is celebrating after scooping Government funding to help other organisations regenerate run-down neighbourhoods and improve the quality of life for residents.

Witton Lodge Community Association in Perry Common was awarded Guide Neighbourhood status and is set to receive a grant of more than £100,000.

The Home Office-funded Guide Neighbourhoods programme, run by national charity Housing Justice, enables community groups to share their knowledge and experience of regenerating their neighbourhoods with other organisations trying to tackle similar problems.

Since the scheme was launched in January 2005, resident-led groups from ten neighbourhoods have helped to transform some of the most-deprived areas in the country.

Home Office Minister, Hazel Blears, said: "The Guide Neighbourhoods programme recognises how local people can transform their own lives.

A total of £4.35 million over 27 months has been allocated to the scheme which is part of the Government's Together We Can plan, a commitment to bringing citizens, communities and public bodies together to achieve common goals.

Further information on the Guide Neighbourhoods programme and how neighbourhoods can become involved is available at www.togetherwecan.info or by calling the helpline on 020 7723 7273. ..SUPL: