FUNDING for youth workers cannot stretch to meet the needs of "affluent" areas of Redditch, claims a Worcestershire county councillor.

Oakenshaw county councillor Barry Gandy said resources in "under-funded" Worcestershire were slim, forcing county council chiefs to spend any extra funds on areas considered "seriously deprived".

His comments were made in answer to claims by his wife, Conservative leader Carole Gandy, that Redditch's "affluent" areas were being overlooked in a £30,000 spend on county-council employed youth workers.

Last week Mrs Gandy told the Advertiser areas such as Webheath, Crabbs Cross and Headless Cross had a large population of young people but very few facilities for them.

Mr Gandy agreed affluent areas of Redditch would benefit from youth workers, but said county council chiefs were forced to prioritise.

"Some parts of Redditch are seriously deprived, not only compared with Worcestershire but also in comparison with the rest of the country," said Mr Gandy.

"Unfortunately Worcestershire is still one of the most under-funded counties in the country so resources don't stretch as far as they're needed."

He added: "It's a delicate matter of trying to find a balance between our universal funding provisions and extra help offered for areas of deprivation."

Youth workers help vulnerable youngsters on their territory, in streets, cafes, parks and pubs, with the aim of reducing antisocial behaviour and improving society.

The Redditch team has been funded for the past three years by the Redditch Community Safety Partnership but funding will expire in March 2006, forcing it to seek alternative options.

A report investigating Mrs Gandy's proposal will be brought before the Cabinet at the next executive committee meeting.