CUSTOMERS and staff at a village pub have rallied round to support a regular who is battling motor neurone disease.

Laneshaw Bridge businessman David Hadfield, 61, was diagnosed with the incurable condition six months ago.

Now a team of 28 runners from The Alma Inn, in Emmott Lane, are aiming to complete the Manchester 10k on May 18 to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Mr Hadfield’s sons, 26-year-old Sebastian and the pub’s head chef, Jordan, 24, are among those taking part in the event.

He said: “My dad was diagnosed in August last year. He was fine, there was nothing wrong with him at all and he was still training with Pendle Blues FC, the team we founded together in 2006.

“He was still working for Pendle Nu-Tech, which he set up 21 years ago. It gone downhill really quickly and got to the point where he can barely breathe or talk. There’s no cure for it.

“My mum, Tina, has had to retire for the time being to be with my dad, and I’ve had to reduce my hours. We’ve had to get special chair, bed, toilet, a and ceiling tract fitted in the living room.

“My dad spent a lot of time eating and drinking at The Alma. He knows a lot of people through the football team and it’s great that his friends at the pub are raising money for the charity.”

Ryan Taylor, general manager at the venue, said: “We’ve got eight members of staff taking part. It would have been more but we can’t have more than seven or eight off at once or we’d have to shut the doors.

“David and his family only live down the road and have become very well-known down the years.

“We’re delighted to help. We’ve got collection tins in the pub and hopefully we can raise around £2,000.”

To sponsor the 28-strong running team, visit http://www.justgiving.com/TheAlmaInnManc10k.