A CHARITY football tournament held every year in memory of a woman who died from cancer takes place later this month.

Hundreds of supporters are expected to take part in the competition on Saturday, May 27, at Langley Park Welfare Football Ground, to raise money for a cancer research charity.

The tournament is staged in memory of Mary Hayton, from the nearby village of Sacriston, who died from cancer in 2003, aged 42.

After Mary's death, her friends and family set up a memorial fund in her name to raise money for Cancer Research UK, which has since raised thousands of pounds for life-saving research.

Eileen Fort, Mary's sister and event organiser, said: "The football tournament is very important to local people as it gives us a chance to remember Mary and help raise money for vital research at the same time."

The tournament will include The Mary Hayton Charity Shield Match, between local rivals Sacriston FC and Langley Park FC, and a women' match starting at 11am, with teams made up mainly of friends and family of Mary.

Carol Bennett, the charity's community fundraiser said: "I am sure that the day will be a tremendous success. Mary's friends and family have raised a huge amount of money for Cancer Research UK in her memory and we are very grateful for their continued support."