THE Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Allan Willett, is using £2 million of his own money to set up a charitable foundation to benefit projects and good causes in the county.

The Allan Willett Foundation is expected to pay out up to £300,000 each year, using interest and capital from the initial £2 million to support a wide range of schemes.

It will also support some projects further afield - such as medical research - that will benefit to the population as a whole. The foundation will fund specific projects, events and programmes rather than contribute to routine running costs.

The foundation is being funded by Mr Willett, of Chilham, near Canterbury, who started his own business at the age of 26. He went on to build a global, multi-million pound coding and labelling empire, Willett International - which won two Queen's Awards - before he sold the business last year.

Mr Willett also spent 12 years in high profile public sector roles, including being the first Chairman of the South East England Development Agency, until his appointment as Lord Lieutenant of Kent - The Queen's representative in the County - in January 2002.

Announcing the foundation this week, he said: "I was brought up here on a farm and have a great affection for Kent. I've been fortunate in business and I want this money to be used for the benefit of the county."

Among the projects Mr Willett has requested be given special consideration by trustees are:

*The maintenance, improvement and preservation of buildings including Canterbury Cathedral, Rochester Cathedral, Chilham Church and Monkton Church, in Thanet.

* Education connected with and the development of artistic painting particularly in the Isle of Thanet.

* The creation of a new facility, or the renovation of the current Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.

* Assistance to education establishments including the University of Kent at Canterbury; the combined University of Kent and University of Greenwich, in Medway; Canterbury Christchurch University College; King's School, Canterbury.

* Assisting the Lieutenancy of Kent.

* Promoting the efficiency of the regular Armed Forces, the Territorials and Cadets in Kent.

The foundation fund will be topped up to the £2 million mark with contributions from Mr Willett each year.

It is planned that on Allan Willett's death, his estate will make a further endowment so that his foundation will eventually have an investment fund of £10 million, from which interest only will be disbursed.

* All administration will be dealt with by the Kent Community Foundation, Office 23, Evegate Park Barn, Evegate, Smeeth, Near Ashford, Kent TN25 6SX, telephone 01303 814500, fax: 01303 815150, e-mail: admin.kcf@btopenworld.com