THE lives of thousands of people will be improved in Southampton thanks to a £15 million windfall.

The cash is the biggest slice of a regeneration handout for the South East announced by the government this morning.

The city council had spearheaded an application to win money for Weston and an area including Millbrook, Shirley Warren and Redbridge.

It is the latest successful bid for money to rejuvenate a number of estates across the city, following £50 million for Thornhill and £14 million to be pumped into the St Mary's Street area.

Residents, many of them council tenants, will now be asked to come up with a wish-list of what the money should fund over the next seven years.

The bid attracted controversy over a proposed sell-off of two high-rise blocks off International Way in Weston to fund refurbishments in the other towers.

The city council has insisted that the plans would only go ahead with the backing of residents.

Other ideas set for extensive consultation include improving Weston Shore, more activities for teenagers and initiatives to cut crime and boost health and employment.

Southampton SRB chairman Paul Jenks said: "We are delighted with this award.

"Clearly the case we made was good, and the scale of the award compared with other areas, especially as the largest in the South East, recognises the excellence of our bid."

Woolston and Weston Com-munity Action Forum chairman Julie Turley said: "It is great news and this will be an exciting time for the area.

"Obviously the forum would be keen to work with the council to make sure that what people want is actually delivered."

Fred Gill, Chairman of Millbrook Community Associ-ation, said: "I would welcome it as long as it's spent wisely. I would like to see money spent on the children."

The handout is part of a £1.2 billion regeneration package for 189 of England's most deprived areas, including £70 million for the South East.

Southampton Itchen MP John Denham said: "It's brilliant news! It's a tremendous opportunity for the communities involved and a real tribute to the hard work that the city council and local people have done in putting the bids together.

Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead said: "A very noticeable change for all the people of Millbrook will come about."

Regeneration minister Hilary Armstrong said: "This investment will make a visible difference to the lives of people living in deprived areas - making communities safer, improving housing and enhancing skills up and down the country."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.