CANTERBURY have started their build-up to the new season by signing promising fly-half Tom Best from Deal & Betteshanger.

The 18-year-old, who has already appeared for the senior county side, is the first arrival in an intensive summer recruitment drive.

Another bonus for the club will be the return of back row man Ben Vick, a former Canterbury Colt, who has completed his university course at Plymouth where he was part of Division 1 side Plymouth Albion’s senior squad.

The city club is in negotiation with several other players as they seek to further strengthen a squad which just missed out on a promotion place in its first two seasons of National League rugby.

"The league will be even stronger next season so we need to improve our strength in depth "said club spokesman David Haigh.

"Tom Best has been one of the outstanding young talents in East Kent and is keen to step up to a higher level of club rugby.

"Our policy is to give opportunities to players from the area so that the only national league team in the district has a really local feel about it."

The club is grooming its own young talent through the successful Development side which next season will compete at a higher level by joining the Kent Invicta League.

Players of all standards wanting to join the club are welcome to join training for the new season which starts on Tuesday, July 1st at Canterbury’s Merton Lane North headquarters, 7pm for 7.30pm. Contact Head Coach Danny Vaughan on 07966 311382