The multi-million pound eb4u project to revamp Brighton's troubled estates has been renamed "eb for few" by neighbours.

The Moulsecoomb estate in East Brighton is among six targeted for cash under the £47.2 million scheme.

But residents say that after three years only a handful of people are reaping the rewards of the project and nothing has been done to improve conditions on the estate.

The ten-year scheme is to bring the education, employment and health standards of the residents into line with the rest of the city.

East Brighton, which includes the Whitehawk, Moulsecoomb, Saunders Park, Higher Bevendean, Manor Farm and Bates estates, was recognised as deprived and awarded the money in April 2000.

Already many schemes have been put in place on the estates as part of the long-term regeneration project.

Dave Barnard, who lives in a flat in Goodwood Way, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, helped draw up the list of issues which needed to be tackled.

Mr Barnard, who has been chairman of Moulsecoomb East Social Activities and Tenants Association (MESATA) for 15 years, said: "In terms of quality of life for people, it hasn't changed one jot as a result of New Deal.

"Young people still find there are no facilities for them. We would probably have got more for the estate if we had been lobbying and taking the city council to task."

Mr Barnard believes Moulsecoomb has been dealt a double blow because since eb4u moved in to regenerate the area, the city council has pulled out of helping the residents.

He said: "The council has reneged on its role and New Deal is not building for the future, it's building for the present, on projects it can publicise for Government spin."

Mr Barnard believes eb4u should be creating proper youth training opportunities.

He added: "The whole estate of Moulsecoomb has been totally untouched by New Deal. It's eb4 few."

Hamish MacKenzie has lived on the Moulsecoomb estate for almost 25 years.

He said: "From day one there's been a problem. Three years into eb4u and the only thing we've got are the offices for the eb4u staff.

"Whitehawk has got youth clubs left, right and centre. There are all kinds of activities on offer. Moulsecoomb has a youth club on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

"Whitehawk also has the Valley Social Centre, the Crew Club and dozens of schemes for the residents.

"All we're getting are hanging baskets and statues welcoming people to Moulsecoomb."

Graham Maunders, the project director, is based at the Winterbourne Centre in Moulsecoomb, while his new deputy, Sean Hambrook is at the Wellesbourne Centre in Whitehawk.

Leaders of the eb4u project are confident they are addressing issues specific to Moulsecoomb residents.

Eric Harmer, of Moulsecoomb, chair of the eb4u board, said: "The majority of eb4u funded projects are aimed at improving the lives of all residents in the estates of East Brighton.

"We are also committed to funding projects directly beneficial to Moulsecoomb as we recognise people living in Moulsecoomb will have different needs and ideas to residents of Whitehawk or Manor Farm, for instance.

"That is why eb4u is funding individual projects directly aimed at improving Moulsecoomb. For example, The Bridge is not only a community building project but provides an enormous amount of training facilities for a variety of community groups."

He said eb4u funding had also paid for fencing work to improve the area and the Moulsecoomb Neighbourhood Trust After School Club.

The organisation is funding, the Moulsecoomb Festival and the Moulsecoomb Family Fun Day in May.

Around £100,000 has been committed to improving the Fairway Trading Estate.

Mr Harmer added: "However eb4u isn't just about the money.

"It's about involving residents in the decision making process and we are aware that we can improve in this area."