A £700,000 fund has been given to a borough to tackle children's mental health problems.

Young people in Blackburn with Darwen are set to benefit from the Government pilot scheme.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is one of 25 "pathfinder" authorities chosen to trial the Targeted Mental Health in Schools project, announced by Minister for Young People Kevin Brennan today.

The council will work with Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust (PCT) on the £700,000 project, which aims to deliver better support for those children who are at risk or are already experiencing mental health problems.

It will provide increased access to mental health provision for young people, offer parenting support and training programmes and provide early interventions for children who self-harm.

The council and PCT will work with two secondary schools and 12 primaries over the next three years.

Plans include employing a dedicated team of mental health workers who will target schools and respond to the needs of pupils.

Coun Chris Thayne, executive member for children's services, said: "The government has shown confidence in the quality of our children's services and its record of working effectively with our PCT partner.

"We are delighted to be taking this important work forward with our partners.

"The emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people is everyone's responsibility.

"We are determined to improve their experiences and opportunities."

Funding for the pilots will be available as part of the £60 million announced by Secretary of State Ed Balls in July 2007, to promote mental wellbeing in schools.