We may be some way off summer, but free cricket sessions are already under way at Northfleet Youth Centre.

Kent Cricket Community Team has launched the programme in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council (KECC), Kent County Council Youth Service, and Kent Police.

Hour-long sessions will take place every Wednesday from 5.30pm in the hope of promoting a healthy active lifestyle among local youngsters, with 25 turning up for the first one.

KECC chief executive Gurvinder Sandher said: “We strongly believe that sport is an excellent way of bringing young people together, breaking down barriers and promoting cohesion.

“We’re really excited to be working with the Kent Cricket Community Team and hope that over the coming weeks the young people will not only get an opportunity to play cricket in a relaxed environment, but also benefit from talks from our partners around various topics including healthy lifestyles.”