SOAP stars have pledged their support for a celebrity match taking place at next month's Northern Echo Soccer Six competition.

Coronation Street favourites Alan Halsall, Andrew Whyment and Ryan Thomas - alias Tyrone, Kirk and Jason - are the latest names to be confirmed for the event.

A team from the soap will take on a North-East football legends XI at the Darlington Football Stadium on Sunday, September 4, at 1pm.

The celebrity clash will be played between the semi-finals and the final of The Northern Echo's first junior tournament.

The legends' team features Boro hero Bernie Slaven, ex-Sunderland captain Kevin Ball and Darlington's Craig Liddle, David Speedie and Martin Gray.

World Cup referee George Courtney, of Spennymoor, who officiated at the 1986 and 1990 finals, will be in charge.

The event is being supported by Darlington FC and sponsored by Arngrove Group Holdings Ltd. Semi-finals kick off at 11am.

Tickets, priced £5 for adults, £3 for under-16s and concessions and free for under-sevens, are available on (01325) 505199.