The government has announced £150 million to tackle child poverty over the next two years.

In a joint ministerial announcement the government revealed the latest round of projects primarily targeting children from five years of age to teenagers who are at risk of social exclusion.

John Denham, minister for young people, and education secretary Estelle Morris said the awards to local groups would provide support at an early stage not just when families reach a crisis.

The money, based on the number of children in poverty in an area, will support community partnerships between local government agencies and the voluntary sector. Projects benefiting from the cash include mentoring programmes based at local youth centres, parental education initiatives, advice services and out of school activities in high crime areas.Estelle Morris said the latest wave of funding was vital if the government's plans were to succeed.

"Earlier this year, we identified 40 areas across England with the highest levels of need among children and young people. This extra money will mean that all areas across England will benefit from the fund by 2004. This is a key part of the government's strategy to ensure that children and young people at risk of social exclusion remain on track in their early years, flourish in secondary school and choose to stay on in education and training at 16," she said.