Projects worth millions aimed at tackling unemployment have been announced following the allocation of Shared Prosperity funds.

Over 3,000 unemployed individuals across Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland will access training and employment opportunities, following an allocation of £7.2m from the North of Tyne Combined Authority and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Eight projects will share £6.4m for services such as mentorship, digital assistance, job application help, financial advice, and personal and skills development.

A further £750k has been directed to 16 additional projects, which began earlier and use sports-based initiatives and creative learning to foster teamwork, resilience, innovation and problem-solving skills.

Each proposal generates activities contributing to personal growth, workforce readiness, and connection with local firms seeking employees, thus creating diverse work placement and training opportunities.

Councillor Karen Kilgour, cabinet member for education, inclusion and skills said: "When we set up North of Tyne Combined Authority, we set out to help people get good jobs. This funding will really help our residents to not only take that first step into or back to the workplace, but also give them the confidence and the skills they need to succeed."