PRISON officers are set to take on fire crews in a charity football match in memory of a popular late colleague.

John McGuire, who worked at Gateside and had a 25 year career with the service lost his battle with cancer last June.

His friends were keen to host an event to celebrate his life

Prison officers Scott Middlesworth and Stevie Devlin teamed up with firefighter John McLaughlin to arrange the match and money raised from it will be spit between two causes close to the hearts of the players from both teams.

It will be split between Macmillan Cancer Support and the fund set up to help Greenock firefighter Andy Adams, who was left paralysed after a wall collapsed on him while on duty.

Scott said: "We chose Macmillan as this is the horrible disease Mr McGuire lost his life to, and we would also love to help in any way to raise funds for Andy."

The charity match will be played at Battery Park on Saturday April 14 with a 7pm kick-off, with a function at Greenock Police Club afterwards.

All players in both teams are paying £10 to play and local whistler Mick Murray has agreed to come out of retirement to referee the match.

The teams are now appealing for local companies to help support them by donating raffle prizes and selling tickets to help generate funds.

A spokesman for Andy's fund said: "On behalf of the Andy Adams Fund I would like to thank the prison officers for including us in this charity match.

"The proceeds will be greatly appreciated by both the Adams family and the McGuire family.

"We would also like to thank all who have helped us raise funds and continue to do so."

Anyone wishing to donate towards the charities or donate a prize for the raffle please contact Scott Middlesworth on 883317.