PREMIER LEAGUE Charlton's award-winning community scheme has been placed at the disposal of Kent County Council in a new agreement.

Disadvantaged young people throughout the county will be among those to benefit under the terms of the agreement, which is being signed at County Hall today.

The Charlton scheme will not only bring Premier League soccer stars and the best coaching onto Kent playing fields, but assist with the Council's determination to use school facilities to the full during holidays and half-term breaks.

Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, leader of KCC, said: "Charlton have a well-earned reputation for being one of the best run and most friendly clubs in the Premiership. Fifty-eight per cent of their season ticket holders have a Kent postcode and the links between the football club and this county are legion.

"Derek Ufton, a club director, famously played for Charlton and cricket for Kent. Sue Townsend, who lives in Maidstone, is Charlton's elected Supporter Director while the county has traditionally been a heartland of support for the club."

He explained: "The Charlton scheme will work alongside our many initiatives in disadvantaged areas where we aim to give children the best opportunities in life. The Charlton link-up will also help disabled youngsters, promote healthy living and play a part in tackling problems like truancy.

"This is a tremendous initiative because the County Council is keen to work with all sports clubs with community outreach schemes and provide the very best for youngsters living in Kent."

Last month more than 1,000 Kent schoolchildren were the guests of Charlton for the home game against Blackburn Rovers as the club set about winning the hearts and minds of the county's football fans.

Football club chairman Martin Simons said: "We intend to replicate our successful community model in South East London in the county of Kent.

"It is envisaged that the community development project will help Kent County Council in addressing issues around social inclusion through youth diversionary programmes and different approaches to the health and education agenda."

Steve Waggott, chief executive of Charlton's charitable trust, said: "We believe our community work and new initiatives play an integral part in meeting the Government's social objectives and will make a genuine impact on the people of Kent over the coming years.

"By bringing together a range of partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors and by working in collaboration, we will be able to apply for a range of different sources of funding to support our intended multi-agency approach. This can be only a good thing for the communities and organisations we assist in the future."

Charlton chief executive Peter Varney said: "On the back of our community work in Thanet, we have launched a new travel service in East Kent with three routes, covering Deal, Sandwich, Ramsgate, Margate, Birchington, Herne Bay and Whitstable.

"This has been a fantastic success with nearly 200 people using it to attend Sunday's home game with Newcastle from Thanet alone."

Charlton will make a pitch-side announcement regarding the agreement before the home game against Middlesbrough on October 30.