ALMOST 300 'troubled families' in Barnsley have been put back on track, according to the latest government figures.

Troubled families are defined as those who are involved in youth crime or antisocial behaviour, have children who are excluded from school or truant, have an adult on out-of-work benefits or those who cost an average of £75,000 per year to deal with their problems.

In Barnsley, the total number of families which have been helped is 287.

Communities secretary Mr Pickles said: "Nobody is saying that troubled families will become model citizens overnight but turning them around starts with getting kids off the streets and into school, giving them a better chance in life, and helping adults into employment or better able to work.

"This is good for the taxpayer, good for the families themselves and good for the communities around them."

Local authorities are paid up to £4,000 on a payment-by-results basis for turning around troubled families' lives.