ATHERTON pub regulars will roll out the barrel to help boost funds to beat childhood cancers.

Staff at the The Glass Barrel at Hindsford have organised a charity bash on February 15 in aid of six-years-old Jacob Marsden who is being treated at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

The Astley schoolboy was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's acute lymphoblastic lymphoma late last year. His parents, police officer Steve and Tracey Marsden, started charity fund raising for the children's hospital at Pendlebury and for the Lymphoma Society.

Jake's uncle Peter Marsden, a member of the FX Leisure Gym at Lowton, organised a team of sponsored rowers which raised £2,440, and Steve, who has appealed for people to help by becoming blood or blood marrow donors, is also planning a sponsored canal canoe paddle from Leigh to Llangollen in May.

A spokesman for The Glass Barrel said: "By holding a fund raising event we can help other children and parents who may find themselves in similar circumstances in future."

The Sunday event runs from 4pm until late with live bands, raffles and a tattooist on site. Children are welcome and admission is £2.