A new approach to tackling child poverty in Wales by bringing public services together has been launched by the Assembly government.

Huw Lewis, the deputy minister for children, announced the creation of a number of Families First Pioneer areas in the country.

Wrexham will work with Flintshire and Denbighshire in the north, and in the south Rhondda Cynon Taf will work with Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent.

Services and agencies which have previously worked separately in those areas - such as education, health, housing and the police - will be expected to develop new ways of integrated working.

The aim is to improve the delivery of services, especially to families living in poverty, and share best practice across the country.

More pioneer areas will be announced until eventually all 22 local authorities are involved. DE.