A GROUNDBREAKING York IT partnership has scooped hundreds of thousands of pounds in government funding.

The North Yorkshire ICT Partnership won a £400,000 award to reward innovative e-government projects.

The award, handed out by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, was part of a £26 million funding package to help information technology projects.

Agilisys has been identified by City of York Council and a number of other local authorities as the preferred bidder for a public-private partnership contract to bring "hi-tech solutions" to local councils, allowing people to make one-stop phone calls, send e-mails or make interactive internet calls to deal with their concerns.

It is estimated the project could generate 2,000 new jobs and transform local government services in York and North Yorkshire.

Updated: 11:00 Wednesday, May 21, 2003