A youth leader has warned the Mayor of Kingston to be careful not to put off working class children from applying to her new charity.

The project will allow youth groups and young individuals to apply for money to support a particular activity or project but Michael Joslin, a member of Kingston Youth Council from New Malden, says too much bureaucracy and form-filling will stop it reaching out to disadvantaged young people in the borough.

"I think it's a great idea but it will be difficult to get all sorts of young people involved. If the application process is too complicated it'll end up with middle class kids like me gaining the most from it."

But the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Mary Reid, promised to make it simple. She said: "We haven't finalised the application process yet, but it will not involve a 15-page form. "We have researched how to help youngsters who are looked-after or have disabilities as we want this to be accessed by all sorts of people.

"We want to empower youngsters, and not only provide them with financial help but to let them develop their skills," she said.

To apply for the grant young people will have to present their ideas to a panel of people their age. The mayor will personally review each case after the grant has been awarded, letting them report back on the success of their project.

"They can present it in a number of ways, such as a poster if they believe that is the best option. The panel will also receive training to carry out their task," said Coun Reid.

Details of the application process will be announced in the coming weeks.