The investment will deliver hundreds of affordable homes

The funding, from regeneration agency Communities Scotland, includes a record �13m for Perth and Kinross and �10m for housing in Dundee.

The move will provide a mix of housing for rent and sale, through the homestake low-cost ownership scheme.

Stirling will receive �9.7m and Clackmannanshire and Falkirk �2.6m.

'Quality homes'

Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said Scotland's different regions had their own distinct housing needs.

"A lot of progress has been made but there is much more we can do, and now will do, as a result of this record Scottish Executive investment," he said.

COMMUNITIES SCOTLAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDING Perth and Kinross: �13m for 171 homes Dundee: �10m for 212 homes Stirling: �9.7m for 223 homes Clackmannanshire: �2.6m for 36 homes Falkirk: �2.6m for 51 homes

The funding will allow 171 new homes to be built for rent or low-cost ownership in Perth and Kinross, 212 in Dundee, 223 in Stirling, 36 in Clackmannanshire and 51 in Falkirk.

The Scottish Executive is now into the second year of a �1.2bn programme to provide 21,500 new or improved affordable homes across Scotland by 2008.

Under the initiative, rural areas will see investment of �119m to create 2,100 homes for rent or low-cost ownership.