Up to 40 teams are expected at a charity five-a-side football tournament in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and the Meningitis Trust this Sunday.

Organiser Adrian Yardley, of Witham, is hoping that his fund-raising this year brings in more than the £2,000 he fetched in for Great Ormond Street last year.

Mr Yardley, 36, hopes around 1,000 will flock to Witham Rugby Club on Sunday, to join in the tournament or to support those playing.

And it will be a family day out, with mums, dads and older brothers and sisters being able to play soccer while younger children can enjoy the bouncy castles, a disco and other children's entertainment which Mr Yardley has laid on.

A raffle and barbecue will round off the day.

Local youth soccer team Valley Green Football Club have pitched in with an offer to mark out the five-a-side pitches and provide the goalposts and Mr Yardley has attracted many raffle prizes from shops and firms in the town.

He was inspired to hold a charity rugby match at the rugby club in Spa Road, Witham last year by his young friend Fawn Bennett, eight, who has had treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The match, between a combined Witham pub side and a social side from the rugby club, attracted a huge crowd which helped raise £2,000 for the hospital year.

Spurred on by that success, Mr Yardley decided this year to encourage more people to take part and to include the Meningitis Trust in his plans because he knows several people who have suffered from the disease, or whose children have.

"I got so much out of raising all that money last year," he said. "I love children and I just wanted to help. If the money I give to these charities benefits just one person then that is fine by me."

Witham Rugby Club has agreed to donate a percentage of its takings on the day to the total. Chairman Larry Hanson said: "We were delighted to help Adrian reach his £2,000 last year.

''Teams can register on the day at the rugby club between 10 and 11am. Kick-off will be at noon.

Teams must be over 18's only but can be men or women. There will be a signing-on fee of £2 per player.

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