Maidstone United and girls’ cricket are to benefit from new sponsorship deals.

Faversham brewer and pub owner Shepherd Neame is backing the clubhouse at the Stones’ new Gallagher Stadium, while Southern Water is injecting £12,000 into women’s and girls’ cricket across the county.

The Spitfire Lounge opens on July 14 when the Stones entertain Championship team Brighton and Hove Albion. Sheps is also producing a special ale named after the club.

The company’s head of freetrade Giles Hilton said: "These are exciting times for Maidstone United and we are delighted to be part of their homecoming. Shepherd Neame is committed to supporting sport, investing more than £500,000 annually across the south east."

With Sportmatch funding, the Southern Water deal is worth £24,000 over three years.

It was celebrated at Leeds and Broomfield Cricket Club by 50 young players, England and Kent cricketer Lydia Greenway, and Hugh Robertson, MP for Faversham and Mid Kent and Minister for Sport and The Olympics.

Mr Robertson said: "Given the success of the women at county and national level, this is a fabulous opportunity to convert this into real enthusiasm at the grassroots."

Southern Water’s communications director Geoff Loader added: "We like to do something that’s a bit different. We are a big part of Kent and it’s important to give something back to the community."