A £5million Big Society fund is set to boost social enterprise and help the jobless young.

Up to £3m from Kent County Council will go to social enterprises to develop their businesses and help the disadvantaged people they often recruit.

The balance of £2m has been set aside to tackle youth unemployment later in the year.

The Big Society Fund, run by KCC in partnership with the Kent Community Foundation, aims to help social enterprises struggling to tap finance from banks and public sector sources.

KCF will consider applications for loans of between £10,000 and £100,000. Individuals and businesses are being encouraged to donate to the fund, with donations eligible for tax relief and gift aid.

Mike Hill, KCC cabinet member for customer and communities, said: "The Kent Big Society Fund will help social enterprises to make a real difference to local people and the local economy. Now is the time for Kent to really get behind social enterprises and support them in their hugely valuable efforts."

Carol Lynch, KCF chief executive officer and pictured above, said: "We hope that this source of funding will encourage more community-based enterprises to tackle social issues and turn around disadvantaged lives and communities.

"An example of the kind of enterprise we hope to see applying could be a business, such as a bike shop or a caterer, set up to give training and employment to vulnerable people."

She invited business people to share their knowledge and experience by mentoring budding social entrepreneurs.