It has been announced that a new £3 million fund has been established to develop leadership and dialogue in Northern Ireland's hardest hit communities – most particularly in areas ravaged by the loyalist feud.

The Local Community Fund, modelled on the North Belfast Community Action Unit and the Community Action Group, is set to promote partnership within and between communities. The fund will also help communities to improve their local environments, develop intervention programmes with young people and encourage more active participation by women in local community services.

Speaking at Hillsborough yesterday, the Secretary of State Paul Murphy said: "We are aware that despite the great progress made in Northern Ireland, some people feel they have been left behind. These people have as much right as everyone else to experience the peace and prosperity that have followed Northern Ireland's emergence from years of turmoil and tragedy.

"Many of those in this category are from the loyalist community, a community whose political leaders have been a beacon in the violent storms of recent times. These leaders, of whom David Ervine and his colleagues in the PUP are fine examples, have pressed on us the need to address their community's alienation urgently and vigorously."

(GMcG)