A GAP-YEAR student has secured £1,500 of council cash to run a football outreach project in half-term.

Jeremy Zulu, 19, was given the cash by Lewisham Council under a scheme called the Youth Opportunites Fund to encourage youngsters to get involved in community projects.

Starting on February 12 for five days, Mr Zulu, of Owens Way, Forest Hill, will host the course for youngsters at Sydenham Hill High School, Westwood Hill.

The former Crossways Academy pupil, who will start football studies at Southampton University in September, wants the scheme to build youngsters' confidence and soccer skills.

He said: "I did something similar to this in Ireland a few years ago and thought it would be a good idea to try here.

"When I leave university, I'd like to have my own training academy for people in the community who need more help."