Two Tottenham Hotspur legends have praised a new programme to help children in care.

Shooting hoops with members of the Bruce Grove youth centre, in Tottenham, club ambassador Ledley King and David Ginola showed their support for the new To Care Is To Do project.

Aiming to improve the lives of looked-after children and care leavers, the Tottenham Hotspur foundation has secured funding over a three-year period from the BT Sport’s supporters club and the Premier League.

A number of people were invited by BT Sport to tour the youth club, which has its own radio station, as well quiz the two former Spurs players.

The scheme will include one-to-one mentoring, life-skills workshops and study assistance, work experience opportunities, and pre and post-employment support.

Mr King said: “It's vitally important, as a football club, we realise our importance in the community and the need to give back.

“This will allow youngsters to have better life looking forward and create opportunities for them whether that’s academically or to supply job placements, which will be brilliant.”

He added: “To Care Is To Do will enable more young people in the local community to benefit from the opportunities and support delivered through Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, helping to change their lives for the better.”

After netting a few long range shots and showing off his football touch by taking on those at the youth club, David Ginola, who has recently joined the BT sport panel, praised the work of Tottenham.

He said: “It is just great here, you can see that Tottenham is doing a lot for the local community and now BT sport are also getting involved for local people.

"You look at the kids here and they have plenty of things to do here instead of being out on the street doing nothing. They have so many opportunities and they can create their own opportunities as well for the future.

"To give them different options and different routes is fantastic. I am pretty sure when they go back home in the evening, they have spent a beautiful day here and are able to feel good about themselves.”

Nikki Kelly, head of employment and skills for the Tottenham Foundation, said: “We will be working with Haringey virtual schools as well as schools in Enfield and Barnet, and it will also be going to support educational, sporting and life-style course.

“This [the youth club] is a fantastic hub for young people, this is where it is all happening for young people. A lot of our mentors work here and it is great that we can continue to work with children in care.”