Kent County Council has been awarded £668,000 as part of an ambitious bid to reduce suicide by 10% in the county by 2021.

Around 20% of these funds will go toward Kent and Medway social care partnership trust (KMPT) to eliminate suicide completely at their mental health services.

This money will also go towards a county-wide Release the Pressure campaign - a free phone service for anyone in Kent who feels suicidal.

Researchers will also receive cash towards studies into mental health.

Preventing suicide and self harm among young people will also be a focus of the plan as there has been a small spike in the number of deaths in the county recently.

Public health consultant Jess Mookerherjee said at the health reform and public health cabinet committee: "We have seen a number of tragic, and potentially linked, suicides from young people.

"However it is such small numbers in young people.

"It is predominantly boys who complete but the attempted rates and self harm are higher in women and girls.

"In the age group - under 18s - there is an increase rate of self harm all over the country."

At the meeting in county hall, cabinet member for public health Cllr Peter Oakford announced Kent was one of the nine STP areas to win the prize.