The proposed Step 6 League in Kent has been the go-ahead by the Football Association this week.

The FA's Leagues Committee met on Tuesday and gave the green light to the new set-up, which will help bridge the gap between the Safety Net Kent League and the Vandanel Kent County League.

A total of 15 clubs will be invited to take part by the FA's Mike Appleby and they will then have seven days to respond.

Safety Net Kent League chairman Denise Richmond (pictured) said: "It's really positive news for Kent football.

"Clubs now have the opportunity to step up in a football sense and they will also have the chance to invest in their facilities.

"It's important that they now have the chance to obtain increased levels of funding so they can improve their grounds.

"After spending four years trying to get to this stage we are grateful to the role played by the Step 6 steering group chairman Nick Robinson and the FA's League Committee in this latest move forward."

The new league is now expected to be in place for the start of the 2011/12 season.