Kent's Euro 2022 star has backed calls for girls to play football at school after the government refused to ensure they could partake in the sport.

It comes after government guidance said girls couldn't take part in football but would be given "comparable activities" , boys-only football teams are allowed.

Manchester United striker Alessia Russo signed the open letter, along with her Lionesses squad, to Prime Minister hopefuls Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss asking them to pledge to backing girls football.

The letter, which was shared online just three days after the England Women's team record-breaking triumph at Wembley, has been signed by every member of the team.

It says: "On Sunday evening history was made. The dream of 23 women came true. England became European champions for the first time in history.

"Throughout the Euros, we as a team spoke about our legacy and goal to inspire a nation.

"Many will think that this has already been achieved, but we see this as only the beginning.

"We are looking to the future. We want to create real change in this country and we are asking you, if you were to become Prime Minister on September 5, to help us achieve that change.

"We want every young girl in the nation to be able to play football at school.

"Currently only 63% of girls can play football in PE lessons. The reality is we are inspiring young girls to play football, only for many to end up going to school and not being able to play.

"This is something that we all experienced growing up. We were often stopped from playing. So we made our own teams, we travelled across the country and despite the odds, we just kept playing football.

"Women's football has come a long way. But it still has a long way to go."

It added: "We have made incredible strides in the women's game, but this generation of school girls deserve more.

"They deserve to play football at lunchtime, they deserve to play football in PE lessons and they deserve to believe they can one day play for England. We want their dreams to also come true.

"This is an opportunity to make a huge difference. A change that will impact millions of young girls' lives.

"We - the 23 members of the England Senior Women's EURO squad - ask you to make it a priority to invest into girls' football in schools, so that every girl has the choice."

Earlier this week people from around Kent described the legacy East Farleigh's Alessia Russo had left behind.

The former Bearsted striker made headlines for her impressive tournament display, bagging four goals in five games, including a cheeky back heel goal in the semi-final.

The 23-year-old learned her trade in the county and attended St Simon Stock Catholic School in Maidstone.