FORMER England football captain and TV soccer presenter Gary Lineker officially declared open a £215,000 soft play room at Demelza House children's hospice near Sittingbourne.

Gary, who recently became a vice-president of the hospice, said: "It will make a big difference to the quality of life during the time the youngsters have left."

The hospice provides an oasis of care for children throughout the southeast whose medical condition means they are unlikely to reach adult life.

Gary added: "My own son George was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of two months but is now a healthy 13-year-old."

George's condition was life-threatening - but not necessarily life-limiting.

The soft play room extension was paid for by estate agents Ward & Partners and the new facility features state-of-the-art technology including music operated by the cutting of light beams.