FAMILIES in Salford will get the chance to spend millions of pounds on everything from tackling anti- social behaviour and drug- taking to providing new leisure activities.

Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears today announced a `community kitty' for the city she represents in parliament.

She said there would be up to 10 pilot schemes, including Salford. "We must put communities in control of the services that affect their lives," she said.

"Local action is more important today than ever, especially for tackling anti-social behaviour, creating social enterprises and environmental action."

The idea of community kitties was pioneered in Brazil, where local communities can take control of budgets through community-led debates, neighbourhood votes and public meetings.

Ms Blears announced the idea in her first major speech in the new job, at a local government conference in Birmingham. She said local people could direct cash at extra community safety wardens to patrol the streets, provide new play areas or traffic-calming measures, or even fund extra police or close circuit TV cameras.

She said democracy should be about much more than casting a vote in an election every few years, it should be a daily activity.

"Local people know the needs of their area better than anyone," she said.

"This government is delivering a real shift in power to town halls and ensuring that town halls pass this on to local communities. We want to bring devolution to the doorstep."