LOCAL amateur soccer teams are rallying round to help disaster-struck Pennington Football Club.

The Atherton-based club fell victim to two separate blazes within the space of a week which wrecked the premises.

Now a number of sports clubs in the Atherton and Leigh areas, including Atherton Cricket Club, have offered help.

Pennington's teams are unable to play at their Leigh Road premises because of severe damage, including the changing rooms.

Officials have set up the Pennington Fire Appeal Fund and hope to supplement the money which will come from an insurance claim, to rebuild. There will be a cash-prizes draw with £1 tickets going on sale and a top prize of £1,000.

Atherton LR and Atherton Collieries Football Clubs have offered used of their grounds for Pennington's teams.

Atherton Cricket Club has offered to help raise funds too.

Help has been offered by Atherton Town Football Club in the form of pitches for Pennington's junior teams to play on. A spokesman said: "It has been marvellous to see everyone rallying round to help."

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