A huge new £25million ‘Town Deal’ could bring jobs, homes and significant investment to Birkenhead, in an offer confirmed today.

A letter sent to Frank Field MP by the Secretary of State for Local Government, invited the Wirral town to negotiate the new investment deal.

The letter follows the Birkenhead MP’s request to the Secretary of State for such investment to create more jobs, safeguard youth services, upgrade street lights, bring empty buildings back into use and maintain the town’s cleanliness.

A local steering group will now be convened to determine how the money is spent.

The group will bring together community organisations, residents’ groups, businesses and public bodies, with the aim of raising living standards in Birkenhead through sustainable means.

Mr Field said: “I’ve been working hard to gain the Secretary of State’s support for the ideas we have been developing in Birkenhead for new investment.

“Today’s invitation to begin negotiating the terms of such an investment programme represents a major step forward.”

Mr Field is also launching a new initiative to create a housing and development corporation for Birkenhead.

He wants central government to make funding available to help such a body get off the ground.

The money would be used by the corporation to acquire an initial stock of housing, run its own ethical lettings agency and establish housing co-operatives across the town.

The corporation would also set-up a repairs and maintenance scheme for properties which are either empty or in poor condition, in further plans announced today.