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A scheme to improve the behaviour of antisocial families by providing intensive social work, health and housing support is to be extended across Scotland.

A 2m grant from the Scottish executive will help to establish projects by the summer supporting six to 12 hard core antisocial families and individuals a year in South Lanarkshire, Falkirk and Perth and Kinross.

The move follows the success of a similar project in Dundee run by the council and NCH Scotland, which provides wrap-around care for families housed in a dedicated block of flats.

There are strict criteria for entry to the programme and sanctions if families refuse to engage with it.

Those referred to the new projects, which will initially run for two years, will be set targets for improving their behaviour and be subject to sanctions if these are not achieved.

The three new projects, also to be run by NCH Scotland, will focus on different aspects of support, including trying to prevent families becoming homeless, helping those who have already lost their homes and integrating them more in communities.

Justice minister Cathy Jamieson said: "A small number of families are responsible for most antisocial behaviour. Many of those involved have multiple and complex economic and social problems.

"Only by addressing those [will we] get longer term solutions for communities."