BLACKBURN Rovers stars of the past and present turned out in force last night to support Jason Roberts as he launched his new charity.

The Jason Roberts Foundation will work with children and young people to use football as a route to becoming healthy, responsible and valuable members of society.

Following the success of a pilot scheme run in Stonebridge Park, London, Roberts will be running coaching clinics across the country later in the year, as well as in his native Grenada.

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes and several members of his first team squad attended last night's launch at Ewood Park, together with former Ewood favourite Andy Cole, and Joseph Carter, the High Commissioner of Grenada.

Explaining his reasons for setting up the foundation, Roberts said: "I want to try and put something back into the community.

"When I was growing up in the inner city, I had positive role models around me in my three uncles Cyrille Regis, David Regis and Otis Roberts who all played football.

"I always felt if other people had that kind of support and a good, strong family background then they'd have more opportunity, which is what this is all about."

The foundation, which also has the support of Rovers and St George's University in Grenada, has five key objectives, which are:

1) To provide opportunities for children and young people to participate in sports and cultural activities.

2) To encourage young people to participate in structured sporting activity, which will contribute to improving health and fitness.

3) To develop a sports academy in Grenada.

4) To work in partnership with key public, private and voluntary sector partners to deliver high quality provision.

5) To provide opportunities for young people to participate in learning programmes which will enhance educational achievement.

For more information go to the website below.