The government has announced a £61 million fund to encourage local people to step in and save pubs, shops and other community assets.

The funding is the government's latest Pride in Place initiative, a new Community Right to Buy Fund.

People in deprived areas will be handed the money to step in and takeover community assets at risk of closure otherwise.

Community secretary Steve Reed made the announcement at a speech in London, where he also announced further action to tackle profiteering in the temporary accommodation and children’s social care sector.

He said: "I am pushing power out of Whitehall and into the hands of the people who actually use these high streets. They know what they need better than any politician in Whitehall.

"We’re backing communities to step in and save these high street gems, building on our drive to give communities the key to their own future and power over what matters to them."

Other initiatives included streamlining Right to Manage, supporting social housing tenants to come together, take control of their homes and estates, and make housing managers accountable to the people who live there.

There is funding for the Test, Learn and Grow programme.

£15 million has been announced for community groups and local authorities in up to 25 areas to transform services for residents with their input.