EUROPEAN Tour professional Andy Beal is to spearhead a new county-wide coaching programme for Wiltshire's top young golfers.

Promising 18-21 year-old county colts will benefit from teaching by Beal as well as practice and competition overseas.

A new all-weather facility, to be built at the Salisbury Golf Centre in Wilton Road, will ensure that the top young players in Wiltshire will be able to train whatever the winter weather throws at them.

Mark Lawrence, managing director of Salisbury firm AEP Fabrications, who are sponsoring the pilot scheme based at Salisbury Golf Centre and Hamptworth Golf Club, said: "Wiltshire aims to lead the country in creating a ladder of excellence leading to top-line competition for the county's young stars.

"Until now we haven't had anything to help the 18-21 year-olds make the big step up to top amateur and professional standards.

The new programme will enable them to benefit from facilities and teaching methods that other European countries take for granted."

Beal explained: "We're taking the youngsters to Spain and Portugal next month because a week's intensive training in the sun is more useful than three months of weekly lessons in Britain during the winter."

Any business or individuals keen to become involved in sponsoring the Wiltshire Colts can contact Mark Lawrence on 01722 323927.