IN a bid to fight the number of children dying of meningitis, officials at Brierfield Celtic Football Club arranged a charity football match to help raise funds for experts to carry out research into the killer disease.

The event was held at Holt House Football Club, Harrison Drive, Colne, on Saturday afternoon after Luke Holden, two, of Bankfield Street, Colne died just two months ago from meningitis.

Ex clarets players Steve Gardner and Ian Britton put their skills to use when they played at the fund-raiser between Brierfield Celtic seniors and Colne Football Club.

Secretary of Brierfield Celtic David Johnson organised the event. He said: "It was a good day.

"When we heard that Luke had died it really hit home with a lot of people around here how easily it could happen to another child which is why we think it is important to help charities out like this.

"We were a bit disappointed with the turn out of people on the day but that might have been to do with the bad weather. Despite this we still managed to raise around £500 for the charity which is all that matters."

Brierfield Celtic also donated money they raised from one nights training fees. All of the cash will be donated to the Meningitis Trust.