by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Hadlow College, rated outstanding for its land-based education, is kicking off in a new sporting direction to help young people find jobs.

In a departure from its core business, the college is bidding to become a Football Academy.

Trials will be held soon to find the most talented 40 students to start diploma courses in September.

The academy link up with Tonbridge Angels and Premiership clubs.

The £100,000 project includes a new artificial pitch and improved facilities, part of a diversification that will see the college develop courses in water sports, rock-climbing, horse-riding and angling.

It also aims to set up academies in golf and equestrian.

Lynda Brown, college vice-principal and an Arsenal fan, denied that Hadlow was moving too far away from its specialist role.

Other land-based colleges had already begun to develop courses in outdoor activities which no played a role in land diversification.

"Because we provide such a high-quality education, we can transfer that into areas such as sport," she said.

"We've got to keep up to date with how the sector is moving. We want to engage more young people in education."

The courses would engage young people, encourage a healthy lifestyle and help them into work.

"We are about ensuring people have opportunities to engage in activities they find interesting and in which there are future careers."

Full story in Kent Business, out this week with most KM Group paid-for newspapers.