A new children's football club in Malvern has been awarded a grant to encourage young people to get involved.

The newly-formed Malvern United Football Club received the funds from Platform Housing Group’s Community Chest, a pot intended for customers, charities and not-for-profit organisations.

The funds have helped to launch the club and will go towards buying equipment such as training balls, a match ball per team, flags, cones, bibs and coaches' bags.

The club will cater to various age groups, with teams ranging from under eights to under 13s.

Emma Webb, secretary at Malvern United Football Club, said: "We are a brand new club so the funding we have received from Platform Housing Group is absolutely invaluable to us.

"Our aim is to ensure that all those who attend have fun, develop a love of football, learn new skills and make friends.

"Inclusivity is also really important to us as we have children attending who have additional needs.

"Our heartfelt thanks to Platform."

The grant is aimed at directly benefiting its clientele, with each application assessed based on specific criteria by customers forming its Customer Voice Panel.

Marion Duffy, chief operations officer at Platform Housing Group, added: "We wish Malvern United Football Club all the best in its new venture; assisting young people to develop their motor skills, their communication skills as well as team building will be such an asset to them."

The club will be situated around primary and secondary schools so that all children will have the opportunity to join.

Platform Housing Group owns and manages more than 49,000 homes across the Midlands, with a portfolio that includes social and affordable rent and shared ownership houses.

It was announced in November that the housing association's team of advisers had helped to secure more than £2 million of additional income for its customers in a bid to help maintain their tenancies, maximise income, and reduce spending where possible.

In the year 2022-23, the team experienced a 16 per cent increase in referrals compared to the previous year, climbing to a total of 6,317.