KENT have appointed former county stalwart Chris Penn as their specialist bowling coach for 2007.

The 43-year-old ex-seam bowler and ECB Level two qualified coach will take time out from his teaching and junior boarding housemaster roles at St Edmund’s School in Canterbury to work with Kent’s professional bowlers for a little over a month of the season.

Penn, who takes over from another ex-Kent paceman Richard Ellison, will also pass on advice to a rising crop of Kent Academy seamers including James Iles, Warren Lee and Alex Blake.

Kent’s chairman of cricket and Penn’s former team-mate, Graham Johnson, said: "Chris is Kent through and though, he knows the club and what is expected from our bowlers and I believe he’ll become the linchpin who pulls together our bowling coaching across all levels."

Penn, who is also responsible for each player’s close season fitness schedule, said: "It was nice when Rob Key came forward and asked me.

"We talked about a full-time role, but for one reason or another that didn’t come off for now, so I’ll be working with the bowlers on a day-to-day basis as and when they want me."

* SEE THE KENTISH GAZETTE (JANUARY 11) FOR THE FULL STORY.