The deputy prime minister has been unveiling his five year plan

The deputy prime minister hopes involving voters in local "democratic life" will help drive deprived areas out of poverty.

He also said the plans would help tackle need for locally provided public services, such as healthcare.

But the Tories accused him of "empty rhetoric" and the Lib Dems said he was not giving up his own powers.

'Massive hole'

Tory shadow local government secretary Caroline Spelman said her party had promised to abolish the government's regional house-building targets, regional assemblies and "flawed" Communities Plan.

The Conservatives would "let local people have the final say on local developments", she said.

For the Liberal Democrats, Edward Davey said Mr Prescott's plan had a "massive hole at its heart".

"The deputy prime minister is happy to devolve councils' powers down to local neighbourhoods and communities but there seems to be no hope of him devolving any of his own powers."

"There is no point Labour talking about stronger local democracy while they continue to tighten the reins. Change will only happen when we give local people real control."

Mr Prescott's initiative includes the launch of a Neighbourhoods Charter, which outlines the powers people will have over running their community and the sort of results they can expect.

More involvement?

A new �5m programme of guides are to be produced to help local people and their councils spend resources more effectively.

Mr Prescott said people everywhere could make a significant difference by action in their neighbourhood.

He said: "We want to offer new opportunities to neighbourhoods everywhere.

"We want people to help share the local public services they receive and we want them to become more involved in the democratic life of their community.

"In this way, local people, working with local councillors, can play their part in creating sustainable communities."

Mr Prescott said the plans would allow people to customise services to fit their community's needs.

He announced plans to strengthen councils' ability to take a lead in their areas and he said a new consultation would begin on ideas to create more directly elected local mayors.

Looking long-term

The package was later praised by Tony Blair as he opened the government's Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester.

Mr Blair underlined the importance of local people taking charge of regeneration projects.

Sustainable development meant taking some account of the long-term consequences of decisions, he said.