BOLTON will continue to be part of a government initiative to help vulnerable children get a better chance in life.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles plans to expand government’s Troubled Families programme this year in 51 areas, including all 10 council areas in Greater Manchester.

Recent research shows that troubled families that have been worked with so far have an average of nine serious problems such as truancy, crime, anti-social behaviour, worklessness and domestic violence.

Since May, 2012 the lives of 361 in Bolton have benefited from the scheme.

Mr Pickles said: “The Troubled Families programme has turned around the lives of over 4,000 families in Greater Manchester since 2012.

“Because the councils have made so much progress in the past two years, they are now able to work with even more families and help younger children get a better start in life. I am delighted that that work will continue in Greater Manchester as it is one of the best performing areas in the country.”

Louise Casey, head of the government’s troubled families programme, said: “The Troubled Families programme takes a ‘tough love’ approach and deals with the whole family and all its problems.”