Havering may be relatively affluent for a London borough but it contains small areas that are among the most deprived in the country.

Havering Council is working to break the cycle of poverty in parts of Gooshays, in Harold Hill, and South Hornchurch, in Rainham, which are within the 10 per cent most deprived areas ­nationally.

Statistics released in May 2013 revealed that Gooshays had the joint highest proportion of children living in houses where all adults are unemployed, as well as the highest percentage of large, young families.

Cabinet member for environment, Cllr Robert Benham, said: “There are two small areas of Harold Hill and Rainham that fall into the 10 per cent of the most deprived areas nationally.

“Poverty is a very hard cycle to break but one of the things we can do is offer new opportunities in those areas.”

The council has invested in both Gooshays and Harold Hill in an attempt to break the cycle of poverty.

Initiatives that have been developed have included the opening a £4.5 million community centre, the £24 million Drapers’ Academy, state-of-the-art libraries in both areas, a new sports park in Broxhill and the ­refurbishment of Rainham Village Primary School.

The council is also working with Jobcentre Plus to help people find work.

Projects include job clubs aimed at helping young people who have been unemployed for between three and 12 months to find work placements.

Grants amounting to £50,000 have also been handed out to support local groups in Harold Hill, with a further £54,000 destined for Gooshays.