BE WARNED - Judgement Day is almost here — for that is how this year's Neal Cousins Memorial Trophy match in Okehampton is being billed.

The event is being held on August 26 at Simmons Park having been postponed from its usual spring slot because of the foot and mouth crisis.

Judgement Day will be the fourth time the town's football and rugby clubs have contested the trophy — the main event, the football match itself, will kick off at 3pm.

As well as the match for the trophy, there will be a packed programme of events throughout the day. The curtain-raiser sees Okehampton Ladies taking on Bristol Ladies' football team at 1pm and there will be various activities all afternoon from face painting and a bouncy castle for the kids to a tug-of-war competition.

In an effort to match fundraising totals on previous years, which have added up to £15,500 for the Exeter Leukaemia Fund, there will be a charity auction as well as a prize draw.

Among the lots up for grabs are a helicopter ride over Dartmoor, piloted by Noel Edmonds, a balloon flight for two and much sporting memorabilia, including a copy of the 1968 European Cup Final programme between Manchester United and Benfica, signed pennants from Everton and Leeds Utd, signed footballs and t-shirts and tickets to National League matches.

Rugby memorabilia includes signed Saracens and Harlequins shirts.

In addition this year there are a number of items for sale from sport-related broadcasters such as a signed photo from Gaby Yorath from ITV's On the Ball, David Gower and Gary Lineker and items from BBC Radio 5 Live.

The evening will see live music and a disco in the marquee so it promises to be an excellent day with the opportunity to have fun, raise money for a very worthy cause and most importantly to remember Neal — a much missed friend to both clubs who died of leukaemia in 1997 at the age of 23.

One of the organisers, Andrew Luxton, said the Exeter Leukaemia Fund endeavoured to ensure that the best treatment was available to leukaemia patients referred to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital at Wonford.

'The total we have raised in previous years is down to the generosity not only of those attending on the day but also many local businesses who support the event in many ways,' he said.

'We have our work cut out to keep up such a rate but we are trying our hardest.'