A Kent land-based college has widened its equine work with young people by building on the London 2012 legacy.

Hadlow College has teamed up with the Royal Borough of Greenwich to create an equestrian and study complex.

The multi-million pound Royal Greenwich Equestrian Centre, near Shooters Hill, is an Olympic legacy project that will see degree courses run there from September.

The centre will offer a BSc (Hons) degree option in Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation. It will also run Further Education and British Horse Society courses.

Hadlow, which has an “outstanding” verdict from Ofsted, said the project fulfilled Olympic Legacy ideals to give young people “new, purposeful and life-changing opportunities.”

The scheme has been given financial backing by the British Equestrian Federation and Sport England, and aims to provide quality training that will lead to jobs in the equestrian sector.

College principal Paul Hannan welcomed guests to a special ceremony at the centre. Finance and resources director Mark Lumsdon-Taylor said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich Council. We have created something new, very different and lasting which offers enduring opportunities for young people.”

The centre’s facilities include stabling for 27 horses, an indoor riding arena, outdoor menage and wash-down, and farrier/treatment areas. A rehabilitation unit features a self-contained equine spa and swimming pool, solaria, laboratory, treadmills, horse-walker, hydrotherapy unit and science laboratory.

Staff will work with The King’s Troop - stationed nearby - Riding for the Disabled, and other equestrian organisations.