A Bournemouth- based charity is to launch a world-first sports academy for underprivileged children in South Africa.

The multi-million-pound scheme will host up to 250 youngsters at any one time and is scheduled to open next summer.

Schools across Dorset will be twinned with the academy, with the aim of sending local schoolchildren there on short educational visits.

Sporting names such as Harry Redknapp, Frank Bruno and Ricky Hatton have already pledged their support along with FA Cup winners Portsmouth.

The facilities will include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, rugby and football pitches, tennis and netball courts and an athletics track.

The centre will also be equipped with classrooms and computers to help the children with literacy and numeracy skills.

The project is the idea of Bournemouth businessman Adam Murry, who runs the Murry Foundation.

The charity already operates conservation schemes and an aids orphanage in South Africa.

He said: "This is a huge opportunity for us to make a difference to the lives of many young people and to offer them hope for the future."

He added: "Many children in South Africa have really desperate lives and little in the way of hope.

"I believe the academy will offer that hope and help them develop their sporting talent.

"Sport is a very powerful force for good."

Murry has signed an agreement with the South African government for work to begin in the next few weeks.