A flagship national football tournament which aims to break down barriers between young people and the police is coming to Bedfordshire.

Kick Off @ 3 is open to all and will see the six-a-side football competition take place alongside exhibitions and demonstrations from different agencies, charities and community groups working to keep young people safe.

The tournament at Lea Manor High School in Luton is set for Wednesday 31 May during half term and open to under 12s and under 14s teams, those in school years seven and nine respectively.

As well as established football clubs, organisers are encouraging the likes of schools, other education provisions, youth clubs and community groups to enter teams into the free tournament being funded by Bedfordshire’s Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit (VERU).

Mixed teams of girls and boys as well as girls teams are encouraged to enter the competition, with the winners going on to compete in the national finals in London later this year.

Set up by serving police officer Michael Wallace, Kick Off @ 3 has gone on to help and inspire hundreds of young people across the country through the power of sport, connecting them with charities and other services.

The Luton Town Football Club Community Trust is also playing an instrumental part in organising the event.

Registration from the tournament will open at 9am on the day, with the football getting underway at 10am.

Registration for this event is now full.