A charity rugby match is taking place in the North-East today.

Stockton Rugby Club will face a Teesside Barbarians team, made up of players from local rugby clubs Darlington Mowden Park, Middlesbrough, Billingham, Yarm, West Hartlepool and Redcar.

The match is in aid of Stockton lung cancer sufferer Lenny Kirk, who needs £20,000 by the end of May for lifesaving treatment in the US.

Former rugby world cup referee John Pearson will oversee the match, which kicks off at the rugby ground, in Norton, near Stockton, at 3pm.

Stockton captain Carl Hall, who has in the past played for County Durham sides Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe and Darlington, has organised the match.

He said: "It is going to be a historic event. There is a British Barbarians side, but now we have formed a Teesside barbarians side."

During the operation, which is not available in this country, Mr Kirk's lung will be removed and treated with radiotherapy, before it is replaced.

So far, a total of £10,000 has been raised towards the £30,000 cost for the treatment.

Admission to the match is free, but donations will be accepted.