A new initiative using football as a tool to help war veterans adjust to civilian life after returning from active service has been launched in London.

Called Inside Right, the mental health and wellbeing programme will be managed centrally by the Football Foundation and is supported through funding from The Royal British Legion, the Ministry of Defence, ABF The Soldiers' Charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund and Comic Relief. The Mental Health Foundation and Combat Stress are also key stakeholders in the programme's development.

The launch event was held at Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea Football Club - one of the clubs which will act as a delivery partner for the scheme.

Chelsea FC captain John Terry said: "I am really pleased that football is playing its part in helping our servicemen and women return to civilian life.

"They have risked their lives serving our country and we are rightly proud of them.

"I am fully behind the Inside Right programme and it is perhaps football's way of recognising all of our military personnel for the sacrifices that they make on our behalf."

The veterans will be predominantly aged between 20-50 years and will most likely have served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, Bosnia or Kosovo.

The programme will be delivered by five professional football clubs: Chelsea, Everton, Colchester United, Portsmouth and Lincoln City.