A FUNDING programme is being launched to help the borough’s elite young athletes.

Bexley Council has teamed up with Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE), which has a large plant in Cray Road, Foots Cray, to provide financial support for young sportsmen and women who are already competing at a national or international level.

To be eligible for funding, applicants will have to live in Bexley, be aged over 14 and provide evidence from their sport’s governing body of their level of competition.

The amount of funding will vary with each applicant and their requirements, and the decision whether or not to fund will be made by a panel.

The deadline for funding applications is July 31.

The panel will include former international sporting figures, someone from CCE, someone from the local sporting community, council members and one of Bexley’s young sports ambassadors.

There are two young ambassadors in every school sports partnership in the country whose role is to inspire others to take part in sport and promote Olympic and Paralympic values.

For details or an application form, call Nadine Wooldridge on 020 8294 6987 or email leisureservices@bexley.gov.uk