A LEADING company has backed Blackburn Rovers star Andy Cole's charity drive -- and is urging others to follow.

Prisma, one of the UK's top catering equipment businesses, has pledged a substantial donation to the Andy Cole Children's Foundation (ACCF), which supports disadvantaged children in Africa and the UK.

Rod McMillan, managing director of Prisma, which is based at Greenbank Technology Park, Blackburn, said: "We believe Andy's Foundation is immensely worthwhile and we found the stories of his trip to Zimbabwe, where he met first-hand the recipients, very moving.

"Because he is a local personality and we have our headquarters here, it seemed the right thing for us to support his efforts.

"We have pledged a sum over the next year towards ACCF, our staff will be fundraising and we are canvassing our clients and suppliers to do the same.

"We hope our involvement will prompt other firms and individuals in Blackburn and East Lancashire to join us."

Andy Cole said: "I'm proud of what we are achieving with the Foundation because it is making a real difference to the lives of children.

"We also want to start creating and supporting projects in the North West.

"The more people who can help, the more children we can help.

"I'm delighted Prisma are on board and I hope they are the first of many companies and individuals in the area to support our work."

The striker has just completed a mission to Zimbabwe to see how projects have been developing.