COUNCIL chiefs in Worcestershire have been handed more than £15m to support pensioners and victims of domestic violence.

The grant from the Government's new Supporting People funding pot will also be spent on people with mental illness and those at risk of homelessness.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister wants Worcestershire County Council to improve housing services for people who have reached crisis point.

Officials will be asked to put in place support networks to prevent ''vulnerable'' people ending up in hospitals, psychiatric institutions and care homes or sleeping rough.

Housing Minister Lord Rooker said the council would receive £5.07m to spend during the financial year starting in April.

The authority's grant would then be increased to £10.01m in 2004/5, allowing the council to plan ahead without the fear of unexpected budget cuts.

Lord Rooker said that provision of the cash underlined the Government's commitment to improving the quality and effectiveness of support services to society's most at-risk groups.

''The services will help to ensure vulnerable people become and remain independent in the community,'' he added.

''This includes programmes such as helping young homeless people prepare for greater independence through training in basic life skills and helping older people remain in their own homes.''