LOCAL footballers are rallying round to help the family of Steve Biddington, the young sportsman seriously injured in an accident at the Royal Forest of Dean College earlier this year.

Steve is receiving treatment at Cardiff's University College Hospital after being paralysed in a fall from gymnastic equipment.

Fund-raising to help the family is already underway and among the events being planned in a benefit football match on May 27 between Lydney Town and a Forest Invitation X1.

Steve's family has many connections with the Town and he plays for the Third Xl which is managed by his father, Brian. His brother Richard plays for the First X1 and will be in the Lydney squad to take on the Forest team.

The football match is the highlight of a major bank holiday fund-raising programme which will include a race night, a barbecue and a fun day.

A club spokesman told the Review: "It is still early days and we all hope that Steve will make a full recovery but while he is incapacitated in the University College Hospital in Cardiff there is an extra burden on the family both psychologically and financially. In his present state the cost of even giving him some small comforts are quite high and as a club we feel we would like to help him and his family at this most distressing time."

The Forest Invitation squad is: Craig Edwards (Whitecroft), Richard Newman (Ellwood), Lyndon Tomkins (Cinderford Town), Clayton Hook (Cinderford Town), Matthew Brooks (Viney Hill), Steve Belfitt (Viney Hill), Clark Barrow (Ellwood), Mark Saunders (Ellwood), Danny Hill (Newport County), Marc Matthews (Huntley), Mike Stephens (Broadwell), Carl Woodroffe (Harrow Hill), Damien Edwards (Ross), Daryll Addis (Ross), Adrian McNally (Whitecroft). Manager: Rob Whittington (Ellwood).

Lydney Town squad: John Underwood, Paul Yeates, Ross Scott, Joe Macklin, Neil Hook, Chris Buffrey, Kevin Pegler, Stuart Liddington, Jon Kear, Richard Kear, Grant Hyner, Ricky Elliott, Eddie Nicholas, Mike Robbins, Richard Biddington, Matthew Remnant. Managers: Tom Williams, Pete Elliott.

The referee will be Mr Steve Cook.