THE country's first athletics academy aiming to coach the cream of the nation's talent to world class level has been opened in Canterbury.

The Athletics Youth Academy at Canterbury High School was officially launched by MP Julian Brazier at the House of Commons. A high profile launch in Westminster was chosen because sports chiefs hope the academy will act as a national precedent and be replicated across Great Britain.

The first group of 14 athletes, who all won scholarships based on their talent, spend two days a week in intensive professional training and carry out their academic studies at either Canterbury High School, Barton Court Grammar School or Canterbury College.

The academy is one of the fruits of the school's £4.5 million specialist sports college funding. It was researched, planned and brought about by deputy head David Platts.

"Two of the youngsters are on the world class potential programme, and all of them have real medal-winning potential," said Mr Platts. "We have been staggered by their commitment. They are very mature and responsible, and are a different kind of youngster really - they are so focussed on what they are aiming for."

The school floated the idea of the academy last October, with the keen support of the Amateur Athletics Association (AAA), and heard from 15 applicants within two weeks.