Merseyside is to received the biggest tranche of funding in the latest round of the government’s housing market renewal programme, which is designed to turn around areas of derelict housing in northern England.

The Merseyside project, named New Heartlands, is to receive £152m over the next three years. This is part of a £1bn settlement for the nine so-called housing “pathfinder” projects.

The money will be used to fund demolition, refurbishment and redevelopment programmes in the designated deprived areas to re-establish a functioning housing market

The East Lancashire pathfinder will receive the next largest sum, with £150m. Other big winners include Manchester and Salford (£140m), South Yorkshire (£116m) and North Staffordshire (£114m).