One of the county's major coach companies has launched a new driver training academy.

The Kings Ferry Group, based in Gillingham, hopes its academy will encourage and support new drivers entering the industry.

Open to non-licence holders the academy will cover the cost of driver training and development to becoming a qualified, professional coach driver, with the added bonus of a full-time job at the end of the training with the group.

A specialised training vehicle, a Scania Irizar i6 coach, has been transformed for use by drivers learning the ropes.

The rear of the coach has been arranged as a mobile classroom where training will be delivered, while the front of the coach is reserved for practical driving training and driver PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) tests.

Lee Miller, assistant training and development manager for the Kings Ferry Group, said: “The official unveiling of the Driver Training Academy is a really exciting moment for us.

"Our growth provides us with the ability to encourage further opportunities and support to the next generation of drivers."

Academy students will be trained by Leigh Marriot, its newly appointed driver trainer.

He has 29 years industry experience, with six years of those training drivers.

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