A project helping educate asylum seeker children run by Gillingham Football Club has been axed after funding was withdrawn.

The scheme operated at Priestfield by Gillingham Football Trust was ended after Canterbury College dropped the £2,000 to £3,000 it paid for each student.

Social services chiefs described the project as very successful and popular. The college operated under a contract with the charitable trust and had been expected to continue to do so in September, with 45 teenagers lined up to start the course.

But in the summer, the college said it needed to focus on its own courses and activities in the face of serious budget problems.

Course organiser Adam Lawrence said the news was disappointing and frustrating. He said: “It came out of the blue after we were led quite strongly to believe there would be funding. It is frustrating because there seems to be very few alternatives.”

Participants were offered a range of studies, including sports leader courses and lessons in maths and English. The trust has been unable to secure funding from other sources but says it has not given up hope and will resume the scheme if it can find the money elsewhere.

In a statement, Canterbury College said: “The programme we had with Gillingham Football Trust was popular and resulted in some really positive outcomes. However, the college was left without the necessary funding to continue delivering it.

“We remain committed to supporting unaccompanied asylum- seeking children wherever possible and will continue to seek funding so we can restart the programme, but our responsibility remains with our student bodies in Canterbury and Sheppey.”

The college announced in July that it was shedding more than 100 jobs to help deal with crippling debts.

The only alternative for teenage asylum seekers in Medway has been MidKent College, but despite offering more than 100 places it is over-subscribed.