Kent's business stars of the future are to receive a helping hand from some of the county's more experienced professionals.

The Wealden Business Group (WBG) has chosen the Kent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs as its Charity of the Year.

The Tenterden-based professional networking organisation meets weekly to help members maximise their business opportunities and exchange information, sales leads and referrals, and has an active social calendar including charity fundraising events.

In the past two years, it has raised almost £10,000 for local good causes.

WBG chairman David Meredith said: "We believe that we can be of real help to young people starting their careers, and wanted to offer practical support to those who will own and manage the Kent businesses of tomorrow."

The Kent Foundation was founded in 1985, and provides tailored support for 18 to 30-year-olds through business mentoring, specialist enterprise training and access to finance through the Start Up Loans initiative.

Kent Foundation director Paul Barron said he was delighted by the news: "Having attended WBG I was inspired by their appetite for business and their enthusiasm to support the local economy. There is synergy between WBG and Kent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs, this opportunity will help us reach out to more young people with potential to be innovative and contribute to their business success."