A GROUP of evacuees from the volcano-damaged island of Montserrat cheered on Blackburn Rovers yesterday in their Premier League match against Coventry at Ewood Park.

It was the first football match they had seen. Blackburn Rovers gave the tickets, and Crown Paints football team organised transport and a potato pie supper at the Mill Gap pub.

A player with the Crown team, Alban Taylor, came up with the idea when four families were billeted by Blackburn Council at the hostel and homeless family unit in Darwen where he works.

The group, escorted by Dr John Griffin, the Rev Geoff Tolley and the Crown team, enjoyed the game.

Plans are now under way for a trip to Blackpool illuminations for which £50 has been already been donated.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.