Sunderland has won funding to pioneer a digital initiative for the benefit of the socially excluded.

The city was selected from a pool of ten finalists for the Digital Challenge competition. Each presented their vision for a digitally enabled society which would better meet the needs of local communities and citizens.

Sunderland will now receive £3 million to deliver its plans.

They include a Community e-Champions initiative, which will help give vulnerable people access computer and internet services, as well as an ‘e-mentoring’ scheme for children and young people.

Minister for local e-Government Angela Smith, said: "Digital Inclusion is about more than new technologies. It is an opportunity to solve problems and improve the lives of people in our communities.

"As the winner of the Digital Challenge, Sunderland should be seen as an example of how the social and digital divide can be bridged and serve as a blueprint for local partnerships for the future."

The £3 million in funding will come from Communities and Local Government.