The powers-that-be may have dimisssed the idea of an official England World Cup song – and what could possibly improve on World in Motion anyway? – but that hasn’t stopped one regional media group from getting in on the act.

With the start of the tournament now just days away, the KM Group has revealed the 10 finalists in its Song for England competition.

The Kent-based company, which owns 14 newspapers, 17 websites and eight kmfm radio stations, launched the competition at the start of last month.

Readers and listeners were asked to send in MP3s of their rousing anthems, and after 55 entries were received, judges have now whittled the contenders down to a shortlist of 10.

The finalists are now being played on kmfm and online at www.kmfm.co.uk with readers and listeners being encouraged to text vote for their favourite.

The winner will be announced on June 11 – the day the tournament kicks off in Johannesburg.

The KM Group’s Matt Ramsden said: “Our aim was to do something fun ahead of the tournament by getting as many of our readers and listeners involved as possible.

“Listening to some of the 55 entries was an experience few of us will forget in a hurry and we hope the people of Kent are happy with our choice for the final 10.”

The winner will have their song professionally recorded and also get to star in their own music video.

Proceeds of the text voting along with any iTunes revenue are going to a local charity, Demelza Hospice Care for Children.