Blackburn Rovers stars let their hands do the talking for a change in a bid to help a children's charity.

And Ewood fans will be able to grab an unusual souvenir thanks to the kind-hearted players who got up to their elbows in paint.

Club captain Garry Flitcroft and fellow team-mates Matt Jansen, Markus Babbel, Andy Cole, Michael Gray, Lucas Neill and Craig Short, donated their hand-prints to North West charity, Project Child.

They were joined by two colleagues more used to getting messy -- goalkeepers Alan Kelly and Peter Enckelman.

Project Child provides therapy to children finding it difficult to cope after bereavement, family break-ups or poor parenting.

It was formed in 1996 and has since helped hundreds to make sense of their experiences through techniques, such as hand-painting, baking and sand and water play.

The charity was represented by nine-year-old Todd Trainer, from Rochdale, who also gave up his hand-print. The Rovers prints will be joined by over 200 more to be framed and autographed before forming part of the Helping Hand exhibition to be held in May next year. It is hoped £200,000 can be raised for multi-purpose therapy for children aged three-14 in West Lancashire.

Garry said: "It's great to do things like this. The team gets asked to do lots of charity events like hospital visits or to handicapped children's homes.

"Today's hand-painting was a bit of fun in aid of a good cause."

Matt Jansen added: "It makes a change using our hands and not our feet!"

Goalkeeper and Ireland international, Kelly, added: "I'm used to messy moments as a goalkeeper!"

Alan, who has been out for the past four months with a broken finger, formed one particularly unique hand-print - three fingers a thumb and a gap.

He explained: "Since my injury I haven't been able to bend one of my fingers. I've noticed it more today because of the print."

Also donating their time and palms have been the squads from Bolton Wanders, Wigan Warriors rugby league club and Wigan Athletic.

Asked whether the Rovers boys would outsell the Wanderers squad Alan Kelly had some fighting talk: "I think ours are worth. But the important thing though is that we are all coming together to raise money for this worthwhile cause."

Gail Delaney, Appeal Manager for Project Child said: "We are absolutely delighted that Blackburn Rovers have agreed to give us a helping hand and we would like to thank them for their hospitality and wish them all the best with the forthcoming season."

For more information on the Helping Hand Appeal contact Gail Delaney on 07903 503102.