A scheme to regenerate one of the poorest districts in Wales has been scrapped due to lack of support for the initiative.

Funding for the west Rhyl ward Communities First project, an initiative established by the Welsh Assembly government, will be stopped at the end of March 2009.

In a written statement to the Welsh Assembly, the deputy minister for regeneration, Leighton Andrews AM, said: "Communities First has experienced organisational problems in Rhyl from the start. There was little discernable progress in the early years with disengagement among key local partners.

"Despite the best efforts of organisations like North Wales Police, west Rhyl has made little progress."

The scheme has been designed to tackle the causes of poverty in some of the most deprived areas of Wales by restoring pride in community institutions, such as sports clubs and arts projects in partnership with local leisure organisations.

Denbighshire County Council have expressed their disappointment at the move, and said that it was committed to the regeneration of the area.

Councillor Sharon Frobisher, lead member for communities, said: "The council is providing more and more opportunities for lifelong learning in our communities, and providing opportunities for people to learn new skills that will benefit them in future."