NEARLY £2m has been given to Southampton council to provide better basic services in deprived areas of the city.

The so-called neighbourhood renewal fund is given by the government on a year-by-year basis and the cash windfall of £1.93m will run for the next three years.

Funding will be given to such projects as a contraception and sexual health clinic.

The clinic will receive £50,000 over three years.

It will be based in the new NHS walk-in centre in Shirley and will dispense advice to under 25s - including pre and post-abortion counselling and referral for terminations.

Money will also be given to help teenage mums. Up to £171,000 will be spent on a small team of midwives who can give round-the-clock care to young mums.

Albion Towers in Golden Grove will receive improvements to 30-year-old kitchens in 150 flats costing £300,000. While £214,000 is set to be spent on the Shirley Young People's Health Initiative - aimed at promoting healthy living.

The Flower estate in Bassett is also due to have a £225,000 cash boost to improve the learning and life chances of children and young people.

The project aims to target children who are at risk of exclusion from school.

An education project called Our Community, Our Schools, Our Kids will receive £541,000 to address poor GCSE performance rates at certain schools.

At the corporate committee meeting on Wednesday, councillors will be asked to agree the programme of projects.